15 February 2025, NIICE Commentary 9945
Dr. Sania Makna

The Indo-Pacific region is gaining huge attention from major powers like the United States, China, Australia, Japan, India, etc. The geopolitical and geo-economic significance of the region has made it strategically paramount to the world’s superpowers. The region consists of four continents- Africa, Asia, America, and Australia. It is the most populous and economically rich area as most of the trade routes pass through the region. The area between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean covers various sea lanes for trade. The Indo-Pacific has become an economically active region as 2/3rd of global economic output comes from this region and 60% of the world’s population resides here. Six of the world’s fastest-growing economies – India, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Nepal, and the Philippines-are situated here. Every country has different perceptions about the region. The United States sees the region as a competitive ground for China’s aggressive military and economic intentions, thus focusing on counter-China strategy and creating a free, open, rules-based Indo-Pacific belt.

On the other hand, India views the region from the shore of Africa to the shore of America, has a more collaborative approach, and wants every country to participate equally in the region. India wants to have free, equal, and open space for every country consisting the region. The region is important to all countries in their perspectives and their strategic cooperation can lead to the fulfillment of their interests as well as development of the region.

Initially, India was not proactive in the region. China’s intervention in its borders and sea lanes in the Indian Ocean, made India rethink the Indo part of the Indo-Pacific belt. The paper tries to cover China’s indulgence in the region and India’s strategy to counter China’s aggressive intentions. Thus, the study reflects India’s strategic cooperation with other regional partners to make the region beneficial for all and create a balance of power in a more open, free, and democratic manner. 

India and the Indo-Pacific

Initially, India’s interest in the Indo-Pacific was limited, as its focus lay on the Indian Ocean and South Asia. The growing Chinese military and economic influence in the region created insecurity for India to rethink its Indo-Pacific policy. Thus, the US, Australia and Japan’s interest in India to act as a leading figure against China in the Indo-Pacific came as an unexpected opportunity for India to fulfill its Indian Ocean and South Asia policy against aggressive China.

India’s major strategic interests in the region are: 

  • Building connectivity, reducing diverged interests, enhancing maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security. 
  •  To foster democratic, equal, sovereign, inclusive regional order. 
  • India to develop its networks with ASEAN nations, manage security with Island nations (Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka), maintain strong strategic status, balancing geopolitical challenges. The interests were mentioned in the Speech given by Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister.

India and Quad

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) consists of four members—India, Japan, Australia, and the U.S.—to address regional challenges, especially those posed by China. While Quad members view India as a significant player, India is often perceived as a weak link due to its reluctance to join a firm military alliance. India’s partnership with the QUAD is mixed- balancing multilateral and bilateral collaborations. India’s stand is such that it wants to ensure an equal rules-based and democratic order that is not ‘anti-China’. Even in the recent QUAD Summit in 2024- India declared its intentions about not ‘being against anyone’ in the region.

Thus, India’s approach in the QUAD is situational and issue-based such as it adopts certain measures to have a balanced and strong effective status. For instance, sometimes it maintains strategic autonomy when it comes to making decisions and balancing relations with Russia, and China, or other countries. neutral- avoiding any collective military alliance to counter China. In spite, India fosters a more pragmatic approach through a Multi-alignment strategy, avoiding conflicts, and seeking ‘mutually beneficial’ relations. Hence, QUAD is a platform for India to strengthen its international figure among major powers, balance geopolitical challenges, and maintain security. India through its inclusive approach can harness the benefits.

India’s Regional Aspirations Beyond Quad

As mentioned India in the Indo-Pacific is not limited to QUAD. It aspires to develop – multilateral networks to promote economic, security, and maritime development. It has already initiated Bilateral engagements with Australia (e.g. AICCTP- cyber and technology partnership, AIIPOIP-Australia-India Indo-Pacific Ocean Partnership), the US (e.g. Indo-Pacific Economic framework for prosperity and IORA), Japan, ASEAN- (e.g. AOIP- ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific and India-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, stability). Numerous naval and military exercises like AuxIndex and Malabar are exchanged between India- Japan and India-Australia to strengthen regional security. 

India’s main priority in the region is ASEAN nations due to its Act East policy as it will enhance a more inclusive approach. Hence, India rejects the idea of the dominance of any particular nation and is ‘Anti-anyone’. India is engaged in the promotion of social and political security to all in the region, the SAGAR initiative (Security and Growth for All) is an example. Thus, Opportunities for India are numerous such as to grow its regional partnership in areas such as Cyber security and artificial intelligence, development of maritime routes for trade with island and Southeast Asian Nations, countering non-traditional security threats, building strong infrastructure, and providing human security among regional nations. India’s role can be significant in the projection of such initiatives with regional partners.

Challenges

India is a significant player in the Indo-Pacific, but still, there are numerous challenges in front. The major challenges India face is rising China in the Indo-Pacific due to its strong presence in the region through the Belt and Road initiative and making ports and bases in the countries surrounding India pose a geopolitical and strategic threat to India. The increased militarization of China poses a concern to India’s security as it lacks modern defence infrastructure to counter China. 

Other challenges include the increase of the Chinese market and its influence among ASEAN countries or other countries like Pakistan, creating a sense of insecurity for India and challenging India’s Act East Policy. Regional competition and rivalries become the biggest hurdle for India. Moreover, Maritime security in the Indian Ocean has become another concern for India to build its strong security networks. India needs to focus on Non-traditional security threats as well. Economic and trade barriers are also posing challenges to the economic security of India. Strong security and regional alliances need to be developed to overcome such challenges.

Conclusion

The  geopolitical and strategic location of the Indo-Pacific makes it vital for India’s foreign policy interests. India can avail many opportunities in the region such as acting as a key player to promote cheap market, human security, health security, maritime security, and developing multilateral partnerships for socio-economic development.  To balance geopolitical challenges, India can be a balancer among major power competition. The involvement of India in the region can lead to its recognition as an important international figure. Thus, to achieve such aspirations, India needs to strengthen its capacity and infrastructure to compete with China. India must speed up in developing relations with ASEAN nations and the other superpowers to make the region open and free for all. It must focus on issue-based partnerships to develop its capacity and influence in the region.  For trade, India can be an alternative cheap market for countries in the region as the US, and Australia can be expensive, therefore, a great opportunity to overcome China in terms of economic dominance in the Indo-Pacific. India must accelerate infrastructure development, modernize its defense capabilities, and leverage its position as a reliable economic partner to counter China’s dominance. Policymakers need to focus on pragmatic, issue-based strategies to overcome challenges, ensuring a free, open, inclusive, sovereign, and democratic Indo-Pacific.

Dr. Sania Makna is an Assistant Professor at the Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, India.