The Indo-Pacific region, which connects ten Asian countries, is geographically and strategically important.
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The concept of Indo-Pacific has become very popular in recent times. Many countries have started using this word in their official statements. The term has been used in Indian policy circles for many years. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Shangri-La Conference in June 2018 made this concept really clear. India hosts Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), East Asia Summit, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, ASEAN Regional Forum, The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-operation He also underlined his active participation in important international organizations such as the Corridor. Not only that, India also organizes seminars on Indian Ocean naval. Through the India-Pacific Islands Co-operation Forum, India is taking steps to enhance cooperation with the countries of the Pacific Islands. India's multilateral cooperation with China and its strategic partnership with Russia will be key to a stable, secure, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
The Indo-Pacific region, which connects ten Asian countries, is geographically and strategically important. Of course, inclusiveness, transparency and integration among ASEAN countries are at the heart of the Indo-Pacific concept. India is not just looking at the Indo-Pacific region as a strategy or a club of a few countries. It is essential to protect the region by communicating consistently on the basis of such universal rules. Freedom of water trade needs to be achieved by resolving differences on the basis of international law. India supports the creation of a stable and balanced trade environment in the Indo-Pacific region subject to regulation. Relationships need to grow for the benefit of each other. In the same vein, India has been the largest partner in the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Bank.
There is a perception in international circles that there is some connection between the Indian Ocean region and the Pacific Ocean. From India's point of view, the Indo-Pacific stretches from the coast of Africa to the coast of the United States. It also includes the countries of the Pacific Islands. However, for this article, we will consider ASEAN countries and Australia.
In recent times, apart from the Indian Ocean, the region of the Western Pacific Ocean has also come to be known as sensitive in terms of Indian security. This is underscored by the Indian Navy's ever-increasing maritime cooperation with Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan. India's trade is expanding in this area. It also includes investments in the East. India has signed comprehensive economic cooperation agreements with Japan, South Korea and Singapore. In addition, there are free trade agreements with ASEAN countries, including Thailand. India is also working for a comprehensive regional economic partnership.
The Act East policy clarifies India's position on the Indo-Pacific region. This includes economic cooperation with Southeast Asian countries as well as strategic cooperation with East Asia, (Japan, Korea), Australia, New Zealand. Nevertheless, the Indo-Pacific concept has not yet gained full acceptance. China is skeptical of the Indo-Pacific concept. So, other ASEAN countries fear that if the concept gets the right shape, it will lose its significance.
India's efforts to make the Indo-Pacific concept more comprehensive and clear can be viewed from many angles.
Maritime Awareness: In 2015, India added a maritime surveillance aircraft to the fleet of the Naval Air Station at Arakonam. In addition, in 2018, an Information Fusion Center was set up at Gurugram. India's main objectives are to increase cooperation with allied countries and multinational organizations for maritime awareness, exchange of information on trade freight, as well as strengthening ties with each other's navies through training and business contacts.
Expansion of Indian Navy's jurisdiction: In July 2018, the Indian Navy launched a mission-centric operation in the Indian Ocean. It included state-of-the-art communications boats and aircraft. Last year, Indonesia opened its Sambang port to India. Therefore, the scope of work of the Indian Navy has increased even more. In January 2019, the Indian Navy launched a new air base, INS Kohasa, on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This bottom is of great importance in terms of action in the Indian Ocean.
Strategic Coordination:In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of 'Sagar' (SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region). The aim is to increase capacity through maritime cooperation with other countries. In this context, India-US, India-Japan and India-Australia bilateral, India-Japan-US as well as India-Japan-Australia, Russia-India-China and India-Australia-Indonesia and India-Japan-Australia And the multilateral talks between the United States. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a joint statement on the Pacific Cooperation Agreement between the two countries during his first visit to Indonesia in May 2018. Modi also visited Myanmar and Malaysia in the same year. The decision to invite ten ASEAN countries to the Indian Republic Day 2018 underscores the importance of India's Act East policy. In April 2019, India established an independent Indo-Pacific Division under the Ministry of External Affairs. The aim was to bring IORA and ASEAN to the Indo-Pacific table.
Joint naval Exercises: The Indian Navy conducted joint naval and air exercises with Indonesia and Australia. India and Myanmar held their first military training camp in 2017 and their first naval training camp in 2018. In 2018, India and Indonesia held the first naval training camp 'Samudra Shakti'.
Capacity Building: In August 2018, the United States granted India STA-1 (Strategic Trade Authorization) status. Under this, India has been allowed to sell high-tech products in the civil and protective sectors. In addition, India will be able to manufacture spare parts for F-16 and C-130 aircraft. India has also provided training to Vietnamese pilots and technical assistance to the Myanmar Navy.
Marine Infrastructure: India is building Sittwe Port in Rakhine State, Myanmar. A 484 Kaladan transport project is being set up to connect Rakhine with the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram.
Trade: Trade and economic ties between India and ASEAN countries are growing. Between 2007 and 2016, trade between the two countries increased from $35 billion to $65 billion. Imports and exports have almost doubled during this period. Exports rose from $14 billion to $26 billion, while imports rose from US 21 billion to US $38 billion. In 2016, India became the 11th largest trading member of ASEAN.
Apart from ASEAN countries, India's economic and trade relations with Australia are on the rise. In 2015-16, India and Australia traded $19.4 billion in various goods and services. By the end of 2015, Australia's investment in India had reached US $10.6 billion, while India's investment in Australia had reached US $11.6 billion. This increase is significant compared to a decade ago.
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| Source: ITC, Geneva and Exim Bank Analysis) |
In November 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the opening of a 'Trade Office' in India to boost trade with Pacific Island countries at the first FIPIC Summit.
All this is indicative of India's growing active participation in the Indo-Pacific. Emphasizing on the policy of inclusiveness, India has also welcomed China and Russia in the Indo-Pacific. It is a big challenge to look after the interests of all the members. Furthermore, there is a need to differentiate between Indo-Pacific and Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue). India will have to work hard to convince the US. That is why India has to pursue its Indo-Pacific policy carefully, taking into account its long-term economic and political interests.
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