Indian engagement with the Southeast Asian region extends beyond recent conceptualisations to periods when connectivity was defined not just in strategic but also in cultural terms. Close cultural interaction between India and Southeast Asia began in prehistoric times and continued until the beginning of colonial rule. And in the new millennium, India is trying its best to reconnect with the region with its "Look East" policy, and to strengthen its engagement by Acting East. It is undeniable that India views the region as a crucial partner today and there are vital concerns that both regions share. But contemporary concerns should not overshadow the broader issues that have been important to both regions through the ages.