Introduction

• India and South East Asia have numerous cultural traits which are similar. Over the centuries, various aspects of Indian culture have influenced the life and civilisation of the people living in South East Asia. Shared historic ties, culture and knowledge have been the basis of India’s interaction and contacts with the region. Cultural exchanges through trade also took place as kingdoms in the South East coast of the Indian sub-continent had established trade, cultural and political relations with South East Asian kingdoms in Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Malay Peninsula, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• In Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia or Burma today, many symbolic remnants of India’s influence are clearly visible in their art, culture and civilisation. Trade led to more exchanges through the sea routes into South East Asia. The cultural influences gradually became pre-dominant among these countries. Over the years, the relationship between India and South East Asian countries has become stronger.

South East Asia as a Region

• The region of South East Asia is situated on the east of the Indian subcontinent and south of China. South East Asia consists of 11 countries, which is generally divided into mainland and island zones. The mainland (Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) is actually an extension of the Asian continent. The mainland is characterized by mountain ranges, river valleys and deltas.
• Island or maritime Southeast Asia includes Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei and East Timor. Characteristic of insular Southeast Asia are the Malay and Philippine archipelagoes formed along the boundaries of three crustal segments of the Earth. Extending southward from the mainland into insular Southeast Asia is the Malay Peninsula, which acts as a bridge between the two regions. It is also a region with internal disparities and a landscape transformed by physical, political and economic forces. The region is dominated by the Mekong River and Irrawaddy River. The Mekong River, one of the most bio-diverse rivers in the world, has been heavily dammed, affecting ecology, and plans are underway to dam the Irrawaddy in several places.
• By the late 20th century, Southeast Asia’s population (including Indonesia and the Philippines) was approaching half a billion, or about one-twelfth of the world’s total. This population was unevenly distributed. Indonesia had the largest population with about two-fifths of the regional total, while Brunei had only a tiny fraction. Nearly half of the regional population was in the mainland states, with Vietnam and Thailand being the most populous.
• An important feature of contemporary South East Asia is the presence of Indian minorities in every country of the region. The total population of people of Indian origin is estimated at around two million. Early commercial and economic ties between India and Southeast Asia led to the settlement of Indians in the region. Geographical proximity, strategic location, trade and commerce, and commodities like spices attracted Indians. Indian culture in the form of Hinduism and Buddhism travelled to this region. Indian culture greatly influenced the people (except Vietnam, where Chinese cultural influence was stronger), as well as art, literature and architecture, without replacing indigenous values.
• There is no uniformity in the social, political and economic status of Indians in Southeast Asia. Numerically also, the Indian diaspora varies. Indians constitute about 8–9 percent of the total population in Malaysia and Singapore respectively. In Myanmar and Indonesia, they are about 4 percent and less than 0.5 percent respectively. In Indonesia, traditionally the Sikhs, Sindhis and Tamils are engaged in small businesses like sports goods, textiles and construction. Recent migration includes professionals in IT, education and technology. Overall, the Indian community is well respected in Indonesia.
• In Malaysia, the political, economic and social status of Indians compared to Chinese and local Malays is not satisfactory. The New Economic Policy (1970) adversely affected the Indian community. Politically, Indians are mainly represented by the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), part of the Barisan National coalition. However, dissatisfaction with MIC has led more Indians to join the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF).
• Singapore is the only Southeast Asian country where Indians are well represented in the judiciary, civil services and armed forces. Prominent persons of Indian origin include former President S. R. Nathan and S. Rajaratnam. The state ideology is based on meritocracy, rejecting ethnic privileges. This is a major reason for the success of the Indian community.
• This is in stark contrast with Myanmar, where ethnic Indians have little social, political or economic influence. When Myanmar gained independence (1948), many important spheres of society were populated by Indians. Later, nationalisation policies led to a large-scale exodus of Indians. A poor section of Indians and remnants of the trading community remained, forming the present Indian diaspora in Myanmar.