The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a crucial geopolitical theatre in recent years, marked by strategic competition and cooperation among major powers (India’s Strategic Engagement in the Indo-Pacific: A Regional Power’s Role). At the heart of this dynamic landscape is India, a nation that has steadily assumed a more assertive role in shaping the region’s future. As a regional power with a rich history and diverse interests, India’s strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific plays a pivotal role in maintaining stability, promoting economic growth, and safeguarding maritime security. This article explores India’s evolving role in the Indo-Pacific and its contributions to regional dynamics.
Historical Ties and Maritime Legacy
India’s connection with the Indo-Pacific region stretches back centuries, forged through extensive trade and cultural exchanges. Historical maritime links with Southeast Asian nations have been the basis for India’s “Act East Policy,” an essential aspect of its foreign policy since the early 1990s. This policy aims to foster deeper economic, cultural, and security ties with Southeast Asian countries and beyond, enhancing India’s presence and influence in the region.
Security and Maritime Cooperation
India’s geographical location makes it a critical player in the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific. With vast coastlines along the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, India faces both opportunities and challenges in securing its maritime domain. The country has been actively engaging in security cooperation with regional partners through various mechanisms, such as naval exercises, joint patrols, and information sharing agreements.
One of the flagship initiatives showcasing India’s maritime reach is the “Indian Ocean Naval Symposium” (IONS), a forum that brings together Indian Ocean littoral states to enhance maritime security and stability in the region. India’s strategic maritime partnerships extend beyond the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific as well, where it collaborates with countries like Japan, Australia, and the United States to uphold the rules-based order and ensure the freedom of navigation.
Economic Integration and Connectivity
India’s economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region are substantial. The region is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and trade routes handling a significant portion of global commerce. Recognizing the economic opportunities presented by the Indo-Pacific, India has actively pursued initiatives like the “Asia-Africa Growth Corridor” and the “Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative” to promote sustainable development, connectivity, and investment in the region.
Furthermore, India’s “Project Mausam” aims to reconnect ancient maritime routes, facilitating cultural exchanges and economic linkages among the countries bordering the Indian Ocean. By enhancing connectivity and infrastructure development, India seeks to boost regional integration and foster economic growth for the benefit of all nations involved.
Balancing Act and Multilateral Engagements
As India strengthens its presence in the Indo-Pacific, it faces the delicate task of maintaining a balance between its diverse interests and avoiding entanglement in great power rivalries. India has been keen on fostering strategic autonomy, preferring not to align exclusively with any bloc or alliance.
India actively participates in multilateral forums like the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to promote dialogue, cooperation, and conflict resolution in the region. By engaging with various stakeholders, India endeavours to play a stabilizing role and ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains open, inclusive, and secure.
India’s strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific as a regional power is marked by multifaceted efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, and prosperity. With historical ties, maritime legacy, and expanding economic interests, India’s influence in the region continues to grow. As a responsible stakeholder, India seeks to strike a delicate balance between its interests and the broader objectives of maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. By actively participating in multilateral initiatives and strategic partnerships, India’s role as a key player in shaping the Indo-Pacific’s future is set to remain significant in the years to come. BRICS: Powering Global Dynamics and Defying Western Hegemony – UPSCIR