Indo-Pacific: India’s Role in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape

Context:
The Indo-Pacific has become a central geopolitical and strategic region. India reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.

Background:

• The Indo-Pacific encompasses the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean along with the surrounding countries and vital maritime routes.
• Key waterways include the Strait of Malacca, Taiwan Strait, Bab-al-Mandeb, Straits of Lombok and Sunda, and the South China Sea.

What is the Indo-Pacific?

• Different countries define the extent of the Indo-Pacific differently:
  • India’s conception stretches from the shores of Africa to the Americas, making it more inclusive, as outlined by Prime Minister Modi.
  • The U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) under Trump defined the Indo-Pacific as extending from the west coast of India to the western shores of the USA.
  • Australia’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper described the Indo-Pacific as ranging from the eastern Indian Ocean to the Pacific, including India, Southeast Asia, North Asia, and the U.S.

From Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific

• The concept of the Indo-Pacific has evolved, especially in the last decade, replacing the term "Asia-Pacific."
• Shinzo Abe, former Japanese Prime Minister, was one of the early proponents of viewing the Indian and Pacific Oceans together as a "broader Asia." His speech at the Indian Parliament, titled "Confluence of the Two Seas," highlighted this.
• The “Pivot to Asia” policy under former U.S. President Obama reflected a shift towards focusing on the Pacific region, moving away from the Middle East.

Shifting and Converging Strategic Interests

• The past decade has seen a shift in policy from "Asia-Pacific" to "Indo-Pacific" due to China’s aggression, threats to key maritime routes, and emerging non-traditional security challenges.
• This shift also allowed for the inclusion of India, a growing major power, in the frameworks of global actors.
• During Trump’s presidency, the U.S. pushed for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”, formalizing the concept by renaming the U.S. Pacific Command to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in 2018, thus increasing resources and diplomatic focus on the region.

India and the Indo-Pacific

• India’s strategic position in the Indian Ocean grants it a pivotal role in counterbalancing China.
• Through its “Act East” policy, India is enhancing ties with Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific while mitigating China’s influence.
• Under Modi, India’s shift from “Look East” to “Act East” policy, along with the SAGAR policy (Security and Growth for All in the Region), forms the cornerstone of its Indo-Pacific strategy.
• The Indo-Pacific contributes to 62% of global GDP and 50% of global trade, with 40% of global oil shipments passing through its waters. Additionally, 90% of India’s trade and 80% of its critical freight transit through the region.

Conclusion

• The Indo-Pacific is not limited to traditional security concerns but holds immense potential for addressing non-traditional security threats like climate change, maritime piracy, illegal fishing, natural disasters, and cybersecurity.
• The region is becoming a hub for bilateral and multilateral cooperation on economic, political, and security issues.
• Institutions like ASEAN, the Quad, and frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) highlight the Indo-Pacific’s role in economic integration, technology cooperation, and infrastructure development.
• By engaging in the Indo-Pacific, India secures its interests and contributes to the creation of an inclusive, cooperative, and sustainable regional order.