Abstract

The Act East Policy positions India’s northeastern region as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia, with sustainable and inclusive infrastructure development emerging as a critical driver of regional integration, economic growth, and social equity. This paper examines how environmentally resilient, socially inclusive, and economically viable infrastructure projects-spanning transport, energy, digital networks, and cross border connectivity- can enhance India’s engagement with ASEAN and neighbouring countries under the Act East Policy. It highlights the importance of participatory planning, green technologies, and community centred design in ensuring that infrastructure benefits marginalised groups, reduces regional disparities, and supports long term ecological balance. The study concludes that aligning infrastructure investments with sustainability and inclusiveness principles not only strengthens India’s strategic and economic outreach but also contributes to achieving broader developmental goals such as poverty reduction, employment generation, and climate resilience in the eastern periphery.