India and the Indo-Pacific

Context: India stands for a free, open, inclusive & rules-based Indo-Pacific – the Defence Minister said at the 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conference in New Delhi.

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• India and the United States jointly hosted the 13th edition of the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (IPACC) in New Delhi.
• The conference brought together top military officials from 30 countries in the Indo-Pacific region, marking the largest-ever participation.
• Theme: Together for Peace- Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.
• General Manoj Pande, the Indian Army Chief, highlighted several challenges in the Indo-Pacific region during the conference, including territorial disputes over land masses and artificially expanded islands, trans-national threats of terrorism, consequences of climate change impacting inhabited islands and coastal areas of rim nations, and natural calamities etc.
• About the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC):
  • It is a forum for military leaders from the Indo-Pacific region to discuss security challenges and cooperation.
  • It was initiated in 1999 by the United States Army.
  • IPACC is a biennial event co-hosted by the United States Army with the co-host country.
  • This year, the Indian Army is the co-host of IPACC.

Understanding the Indo-Pacific Region

• The Indo-Pacific is a geopolitical construct that substituted the term “Asia-Pacific”. It covers the area from Africa’s east coast till America’s west coast. It encompasses the Indian and the Pacific Oceans.
• Major stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific: QUAD (India, U.S.A., Australia, Japan), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, China, and other maritime nations occupy the strategic positions in the Indian and the Pacific Ocean.

Significance of Indo Pacific for India

Key elements of India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific (PM’s Shangri La Dialogue, 2018)

• A free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• Southeast Asia at the centre of Indo Pacific: with a key role played by ASEAN.
• A common rules-based order for the region: through principles such as faith in dialogue, believe in sovereignty and territorial integrity and equality of all nations, irrespective of size and strength.
• Equal access to common spaces on sea and in the air, as a right under international law: It would require freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law.
• Circumventing power rivalries through partnerships: India envisions partnerships on the basis of shared values and interests and extends its support to regional architecture and groupings as one of the pillars of the new order.

Challenges for India in Indo-Pacific

• Security of Sea Lanes of Communication is an essential challenge as the region is prone to maritime piracy in areas like piracy in the waters of the Indian Ocean, Sulu Sea, and South China Sea (SCS).
• Freedom of navigation as China’s claims of sovereignty in waters of SCS and increased presence in the Indo-Pacific is hampering free movement of vessels.
  • China’s BRI and the so-called String of Pearls aim to encircle India from all borders.
  • The ‘Air Silk Route,’ a newer Chinese initiative, is a new chapter in the Indo-Pacific region.
• India’s capability as a net security provider is being tested as ASEAN members perceive India as a counterweight against Chinese aggression. But India’s Naval and military capability, although rising, are yet to match the levels of China.
• Differences in groupings: E.g., India opted out of RCEP, which did not receive a good response from other members like ASEAN and Australia.
• Quad’s Limitations: The Quad has a fundamental structural flaw because its goal revolves around the United States. And the group lacks a strategic vision.
• Natural Disasters and Climate: Coping with natural disasters like cyclones and tsunamis, combined with high population density and the growing threat of climate change, presents additional challenges in the region.
• Security Threats: Tackling terrorism, radicalization, resource scarcity, and environmental issues contributing to regional volatility.

Steps taken by India to realize the potential of the Indo- Pacific region

• The Ministry of External Affairs established a new Division for the Indo-Pacific in April 2019.
• Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI): It is an open, non-treaty-based initiative launched by India in 2019, to promote maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • IPOI envisages cooperation under seven pillars namely, Maritime Security, Maritime Ecology, Maritime Resources, Capacity Building and Resource Sharing, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation and Trade, Connectivity and Maritime Transport.
• ASEAN Centrality: India’s association with ASEAN has been on the rise. This development is in line with India’s policy of the ASEAN to be at the centre of the Indo-Pacific.
  • The IPOI is an appropriate fit for the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
• Regional and Bilateral Groupings: The QUAD mechanism at a regional and plurilateral level, and our bilateral engagement with individual countries of the Indo-Pacific have intensified.
• IPEF: On the economic side, India has decided to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
  • IPEF is a US-led trade initiative meant to counter China’s aggressive expansion in the region.
  • It includes seven out of 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), all four Quad countries, and New Zealand, represents about 40% of global GDP.
• Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative: concentrates on maritime safety, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and consequences of natural disasters. This initiative can help fill many gaps in the region.
• Security and Defence: E.g., Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean region, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and Exercises like Malabar.
• Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief: India has established itself as an early responder through initiatives like Operation Vanilla and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure etc.

Way Forward

India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, suggests a four-point framework for India to develop its Indo-Pacific strategy in the uncertain Indo- Pacific region:

• Safeguard islands and littoral and make India’s capabilities available to others.
• Deepening economic and security cooperation with maritime neighbours.
• Collective action and collaboration to advance peace and security.
• Integrated and Cooperative future for the region enhancing sustainable development.

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