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THE Indo-Pacific Opportunity
What the article is about?
- Talks about the factors influencing the Indo-Pacific and how India should prioritise its strategies.
Syllabus: GS-II International Relations, India and its neighbourhood
Indo-Pacific:
- It signifies the interconnectedness of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the importance of the oceans to security and commerce.
- Interpretation:
- The Indian version views it as an open, inclusive space for all stakeholders based on common responsibilities and common interests.
- The US version interprets a free and open region based on a rules-based order.
- The ASEAN countries interpret it as a model based on consociation-cooperation of different and opposing social groups on the basis of power-sharing.
Important Stakeholders:
- The region is central to world economy and peace and 9 Countries are key players- US, China, Japan, India, Germany, UK, Russia, Australia and France.
- US-China equation: US responses and interaction towards Beijing’s South/East China Policy, Aggressive postures towards Taiwan, Human Rights violation in Xinjiang, Subjugation of Hong Kong’s citizenry, assertive economic outreach in Indo-Pacific.
- Regional Groupings: QUAD– strategic partnership between US, India, Japan and Australia; militaristic AUKUS (Australia, UK, US); EU– aims at increasing its economic and security profile and linkages with the region; ASEAN– faces the heat of China’s aggression
India’s stand in the region:
- 3 Obligations:
- Strengthen the QUAD- fulfilling its commitment to deliver vaccines and protect its established relationship with Russia
- Enhance cooperation with key Southeast Asian partners- Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand along with humouring ASEAN
- Eastern and Southern planks of Africa and the Indian Ocean island states need continued high policy attention and financial resources.
- A clear economic and trade agenda, involving and incentivising corporate India to follow the flag in this vital region.
- India needs to convert the prospects of its humanitarian assistance done during the pandemic, into economic and strategic opportunities.
