2019 – Posted in: RSTV

Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative

In News:

Indo Pacific is one of the new concepts and approaches that are thrown up by the changing world, as said by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on his two days visit to Russia.

Introduction

India, France and Australia maintained dialogue 1.5 to identify security and sustainability issues in the Indo-Pacific region. Protecting the freedom of navigation and maintaining the stability of the Indo-Pacific was a crucial issue on the agenda of PM Modi and the annual summit of French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Also, Indo Pacific is the concept of a decade that has recently earned a significant currency. It is based on the idea that the seemingly diverse theaters of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean constitute a related strategic theater and unified strategic weight.

Indo-Pacific Concept

The “Indo-Pacific” construction has attracted considerable attention around the world and is progressing rapidly. Countries that are part of the vast expanse of ocean in India and the Pacific are called “Indo-Pacific countries”.
It is argued that its extension extends from the east coast of Africa to the western coast of the United States, with however variations in the definitions that depend on each actor and their own geographical position in the vast expanse.
Strategically, it can be viewed as a continuum across the two oceans connected by its main trade channel, the Strait of Malacca.
The main reasons for the emergence of an Indo-Pacific strategic imagination are China’s growing footprint across the region and the relative decline of the US alliance system and his fight for resurgence.

Significance of Indo-Pacific region for India:

India plans to devote more energy to IORA because the heart of its Indo-Pacific policy is anchored in the Indian Ocean. This integrates the “blue economy” part of Indian politics with the security side.
In Indo-Pacific diplomacy, India has repeatedly placed ASEAN at the centre of its policy.
ASEAN alone does not speak as a united entity, especially in the face of the overwhelming presence of China. Indeed, although Asean puts confidence in China, it is just as cautious with the United States and its allies, preferring to keep the ASEAN region out of the politics of the great powers.
This is what India wants to address and interact with Singapore, Vietnam and, now, Indonesia are key partners of the region for India. This will also involve the Quad and take this new group to the region.

India’s Role/Approach:

Open, integrated and balanced approach is followed by India.
India is playing a key role in the Pacific, East Asia and Southeast Asia.
The “Law of Eastern Law” aims to significantly improve India’s relations with Southeast Asia.
India is also trying to make innovative use of trade and diplomacy as strategic arsenals.
However, as far as India is concerned, this link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific that flows through the waters of Southeast Asia is not new.
In 2004, India’s maritime doctrine referred to the “change in the overall maritime approach of the Atlantic-Pacific combination for the Pacific Indian”.
Therefore, beyond the Indian Ocean, the Western Pacific has been identified for some time as part of the interests of Indian security.

India and ASEAN:

India’s relationship with ASEAN members is growing day by day. The constitution of India as a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum is one of the examples of growing rapprochement.
Act East East’s policy in India has strengthened relations between ASEAN and India. Initially, it was limited to trade and investment. Now, other dimensions such as counter-insurgency, cyber security and maritime security, connectivity, etc. have been included.
The Indian administration has been adamant in emphasizing the centrality of ASEAN. This was evident in the Shangri La Dialog of the Indian Prime Minister.

Challenges in the issue of the Indo-Pacific strategy:

The geographical construction of the Indo-Pacific is unclear even after so many years. On the ground floor, something concrete has not been done yet.
The confrontational model of the United States is not acceptable for many countries, including India. India wants an inclusive model, as mentioned in the Shangri-la dialogue.
Without balancing China’s point of view, no initiative will work. All related countries have strong links with China of different natures.
ASEAN Scepticism: ASEAN countries do not fully support this concept and remain skeptical about it.
Recently, India has just rejected the Regional Integrated Economic Association (RCEP) and will have an impact on the Indo-Pacific strategy.

Future Prospects for India with respect to Indo-Pacific:

Naval forces and diplomacy are two essential tools to promote the stature of India in Indo-Pacific affairs. Both tools allow India to influence events far from our borders.
New Delhi needs to build on already strong trade and trade relations to develop bilateral diplomacy, blue water policy and deeper economic integration under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). All of these pieces are needed to complement Indo Pacific’s open, integrated and balanced image.
If we could achieve an open, integrated and balanced Indo-Pacific, our projection of power and influence in the region would increase dramatically.
India’s vision of security and growth for all in the region (SAGAR), on which systems such as Sagarmala are based, should be exploited to increase international confidence in India’s role in Indo-China peaceful relations.

Way Forward:

India can wait for China’s approach in the South China Sea and then take the plunge.
India must look at its economy because without a strong economy, India will not be able to play the role it deserves with respect to the Indo-Pacific and is also outside the RCEP.
India must be clear in its position, either with those who support the rules or with those who do not support the rule-based approach.

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