ISAS Working Papers

The dynamics of India's economic engagement with Southeast Asia must be comprehended in the light of the contrasts existing in both India and the Southeast Asian region. India's states differ widely in demographic features, markets and natural resource endowments. Their populations vary from 60,000 (Lakshadweep) to 191 million (Uttar Pradesh). Per capita incomes also show fairly high dispersion, ranging from US$157 to US$1,733.3 Similarly, Southeast Asia comprises a diverse group of economies with different economic structures and levels of development. While the populations in these economies range from as low as 396,000 to 225 million, per capita incomes vary from US$215.60 to US$35,206.4