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The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a 21st century “strategic reality” in global geopolitics. Its growing importance is due to its wide geographic span, covering more than half of the global population, and its economic contribution, which accounts for about 62 percent of global GDP and half of global trade.
has increased Importance of the Indo-Pacific region It has paved the way for the expansion of various strategies, frameworks, groups and alliances. Countries like the US, Japan, the Association of Southeast Asian States (ASEAN), the European Union, Australia and more recently Canada and Sweden have developed their own Indo-Pacific strategies. To influence the development of the region.
In this context, it is important to have a clear understanding of concepts such as strategy, patterns and alliances that underlie the current geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific area.
Strategies, frameworks and alliances
The definition of “strategy” has evolved over a period of time. Previously International Relations Theorists focused on the military dimensions of strategy. Colin S. Gray Inn Modern strategy (1999) note that strategy is “the use of military force to achieve political objectives”.
However, the concept of strategy has been broadened to encompass “forces” and “processes”. According to John Bayliss, “strategy provides a bridge between military means and political goals”, connecting national policy towards the region with the objective of achieving national interests. It includes long-term plans and policies designed to achieve specific national or collective objectives.
In contrast, a pattern refers to setting out guidelines for how actions or interactions should occur to achieve a particular outcome. Whereas, formal alliances, as defined by the US Department of Defense, are “formal agreements between two or more nations” formed through treaties to defend each other in time of war or aggression. Alliance partnerships can be bilateral or multilateral, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Major Strategies and Groups Shaping the Indo-Pacific
– Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Strategy – In 2016, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the FOIP strategy at TICAD VI (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) in Kenya. Japan’s FOIP vision marked an important step towards increasing connectivity between Asia and Africa (positioning ASEAN as a key link between the two oceans), promoting regional stability and prosperity, emphasizing the rule of law and an inclusive international order.
Japan’s vision is based on three pillars: (i) promotion of the rule of law, (ii) pursuit of economic prosperity and (iii) commitment to peace and stability with a focus on capacity building in maritime law enforcement and cooperation. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
– ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) – It was adopted during the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in 2019. Its aim is not to create new mechanisms or replace existing ones but to enhance ASEAN’s community building process and strengthen ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Expanded ASEAN Community Forum (ASEAN). EAMF).
It also highlighted broad areas of cooperation such as connectivity, maritime cooperation, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and economic cooperation. It envisages avoiding any form of mistrust, miscalculation, economic and military confrontation based on a “zero-sum game”.
This reflects ASEAN’s desire to promote an open, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture that balances relations between major powers, particularly in light of rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
– United States Indo-Pacific Strategy – The Biden administration released an Indo-Pacific strategy in February 2022, focused on a free and open Indo-Pacific. Emphasizes sovereignty decision making by countries in accordance with international law and the legal regime of common domains such as seas and skies. The main objectives that the US wants to advance are a free and open Indo-Pacific, building connections within and outside the region, leading regional prosperity, strengthening Indo-Pacific security, and building regional resilience to international threats.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken committed to “collaboration with allies and partners” to achieve these goals, emphasizing the importance of partnership to achieve these goals given the vastness and diversity of the Indo-Pacific. The vision draws attention to key groups such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States (AUKUS).
Quad and AUKUS
While the above three represent strategic frameworks or visions for the Indo-Pacific region Other variants are working in the field as groups or alliances. is one of them Quad (Quadrangle Security Dialog). It is a diplomatic bloc consisting of India, the US, Australia and Japan – all democratically governed nations with common interests.
The Quad seeks to promote practical cooperation in various areas including infrastructure development, climate change, critical and emerging technologies. Health (medicine). Over time, the QUAD has expanded its scope in the region and announced several partners such as the QUAD Health Security Partnership, the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, the QUAD Indo-Pacific Logistics Network and announced for the first time. Quad-at-sea ship observer mission in 2025. The Quad’s mandate is much broader and covers several functional areas distinct from AUKUS.
AUKUS is a tripartite security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States A primary goal is to increase military cooperation, particularly by equipping Australia Nuclear powered submarines by 2030. Focusing on the second pillar of the coalition Enhancing capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, electronics War, and hypersonic technologies. This alliance is widely seen as a direct response China’s growing military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific are primarily focused on security dimensions.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)Another initiative, launched by the US in 2022 with thirteen other nations, represents a separate economic initiative. These countries contribute more than 40 percent of global GDP. The framework is organized around four pillars: trade, supply chain, clean economy and fair economy. Unlike traditional free trade agreements, the IPEF offers flexibility and an open regime that allows partner countries to join any pillar based on their interests and preferences.
The framework is designed to provide new opportunities for economic growth and strengthen partnerships among participating nations while avoiding the commitments associated with traditional trade agreements.
Finally, the aforementioned frameworks, philosophies, groups and alliances provide a brief overview of the many initiatives shaping the Indo-Pacific region. As nations strive The region has become a complex landscape of overlapping strategies, alliances and policies while protecting its national interests and limiting China’s growing influence.
Multiple initiatives often complicate the adoption of an integrated and targeted approach, which increases the likelihood of overlapping strategies or conflicts or a lack of clear objectives. Therefore, it is useful to carefully understand the subtle differences between these frameworks and alliances. An informed and nuanced understanding will be critical to effectively navigating the evolving dynamics of this sector.
Post the questions you read
What led to the expansion of strategies, patterns, groups and alliances in the Indo-Pacific?
How are countries like the US, Japan, ASEAN and the EU shaping their Indo-Pacific strategies to advance national interests?
Why is it important to understand the concepts of strategy, framework and alliances in the context of the Indo-Pacific?
In what ways can India’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific contribute to a cooperative and sustainable regional order?
What are the key areas of cooperation between India and other regional players like Japan, ASEAN and Australia to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific?
(Anudeep Guzzetti is an Assistant Professor at the Center of Excellence for Geopolitics and International Studies, Rewa University, Bengaluru.)
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