India will showcase its 'Act East' policy on republic day, says Nirmala Sitharaman

India's 'Act East' policy is really "taking shape" and the presence of 10 Asean leaders during the Republic Day celebrations here will definitely showcase that policy, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said.

She said this in response to a question from the press during her visit to the NCC Republic Day Camp at Delhi Cantonment.

"The prime minister's intention that the 'Look East' policy should now be the 'Act East' policy is really taking



shape."

"And, by the very presence of ten leaders from ASEAN during the Republic Day celebrations, India will definitely showcase its 'Act East' policy," she said.

When asked about the ceasefire violations, she said, "Let's talk about the NCC Camp and Republic Day today (Monday)."

In an unprecedented event, leaders of all the ten Asean member countries will be chief guests at the ceremonial parade at Rajpath on January 26.