An important aspect of India's foreign policy from the 1990s has been its attempt to consolidate its ties of friendship and mutual understanding with its East and South East Asian neighbours. India's Act East Policy has initiated a new positive approach towards South East Asia through its roots which can be traced to India's past history and tradition. While it began primarily with religious interaction which lead to the spread of Buddhism in the far-flung areas of South East Asia, economic and cultural connections followed soon after.