The Shor(es) of Indo Pacific

Hello friends, the year is passed by and the new is to begin. In this year, All foreign policy circles were astonished by the attraction and dynamism of one military-politico construct- Indo pacific. It was just five years or a decade ago, none of the laymen would have heard that there is something called Indo pacific. and now? It has become a global watchword on high tables of diplomacy and media circles.

What is the Indo-Pacific Ocean, then? It's not a new sixth ocean in the world. The term was coined by a geopolitician Karl Hausehaufar in the 1920s itself. However, it was in 2007, geopolitical discourse saw the reentry of Indo Pacific. Until then, something called the Asia Pacific was USA's favorite region to play cards since World War 2 to contain USSR. Whether it was the Korean War or the Vietnam war, it was all about Asia Pacific- the region belonging to Asia and its littoral states to the Pacific Ocean.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe while giving a speech in the Indian Parliament talked of "Confluence of the Indian and Pacific Oceans" as "the dynamic coupling as seas of freedom and of prosperity" in the "broader Asia".  This was the essence of giving security connotation to the term Indo-pacific. The post-2008 crisis world marked the rise of China and increasing tension between USA and China. In this discourse, Indo Pacific theatre became active like the bakery of the world, ships moving on, naval vessels fighting Pirates(not of Carribeans), and the future of the world started cooking there. Indo Pacific became a part of world affairs discourse very prominently.

However, this doesn't mean that Indo pacific was the only theatre that was arranging performances of global actors. Other developments like unstable conditions and terrorist attacks in West Asia, natural disasters, and military coups in Africa and in other parts were there. USA's will to oppose Chinese assertion in the South China Sea and India's growing economy and its closeness with USA and allies marked growing attention to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean as a joint geopolitical entity- Indo-Pacific region.   India seized this opportunity. Ultimately it had a whole ocean to its name. All diplomatic corps of India started speaking like a mantra - Indo Pacific and Indo- Pacific since 2012-13.  

Indo-Pacific Location
(Source- Wikipedia)

There are different versions of the interpretation of the geographical extent of Indo pacific. In India's point of view, the Indo-Pacific is that vast maritime space stretching between the western coast of northern America to the eastern shores of Africa. USA used to see Indo-Pacific as a modified sequel of Asia Pacific including part up to Srilanka in it. PM Modi asserted India's vision about Indo Pacific in Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore,2018. It stressed on the role of ASEAN countries in the Indo-Pacific. The initiative SAGAR (Security and Growth For All in the Region) implied India's leadership in the region as a net security provider and willingness to cooperate and dance with like-minded other powers like France. Another implication was rules-based Indo_Pacific with freedom of navigation, openness, and respect for territoriality and sovereignty of small islands.

                                 

In recent two years, the shores of the Indo-Pacific have been acting like anything. India's vision and concept have been adopted by most of the nations. In the recent China crisis, Indo Pacific had become a resting shoulder for India. India has recently created a separate Indo-Pacific division in the Ministry of External Affairs to focus exclusively on the region. Forums like the Indian Ocean Rim Association(IORA) have gained huge importance to discuss future recipes. Even distant countries like Netherlands are coming forward to add their spices flavors and colors into it. 

The main menu on the table and outcome of this is QUAD grouping of India, Australia, Japan, and USA. The shor(es) of Indo Pacific are going to make more sound with this QUAD mike in the coming decade.

Let's discuss QUAD in the next piece. Wish you a very Happy New Yea

References-

Harsh V.Sringla, Foreiegn Sec Speech

India's New EuroPolitick- C.Rajamohan

PM Modi at Shangri La in 2018

                

The Geography of Opportunity for India

Hello friends, much water has been flown after the unfortunate Galwan clashes. India - China stalemate has not been resolved yet. USA will see a new president in the chair in the new year. In this context, all world capitals are looking towards one entity- the Indian ocean.

Let's try to analyze what are the geographical and geographical implications of the Indian ocean for India!

The Indian Ocean is the only ocean in the world to be named after a nation. Its geographical extent starts from East Africa to South East Asia, up to Antarctica in the south. It’s the third-largest ocean among the five. It shares 25% of total landmass on the earth with its littoral countries (those who share a maritime boundary with the Indian ocean).  Two third of the World’s oil trade, half of the bulk cargo, and half of the container traffic pass through the Indian ocean.

Indian Ocean Location
(Source- Googleusercontent.com)

                

It becomes natural for India to have huge stakes in the Indian ocean. K.M.Pannikar , an eminent Indian diplomat in quoted 1940s, “while to other countries the Indian Ocean is only one of the important oceanic areas, to India it is a vital sea. Her lifelines are concentrated in that area, her freedom is dependent on the freedom of that water surface. India’s location is central to the eastern and western stretches of the ocean. It also extends to the South with its coastline, making it an asset for India’s maritime operations in the region.

Another two key strategic assets for India are it's two islands, Lakshadweep on the western flank and Andaman and Nicobar in the east. An Indian Naval station, INS DWEEPRAKSHAK is located on Lakshadweep. Andaman and Nicobar islands have a tri-service command along with naval air force station INS BAAZ. The islands face to South East. Thus they form the backbone to secure Indian interests in the straits of Malacca, one of the most important chokepoints in the region.

Andaman and Nicobar Location

                                                           (source- idsa.com)

Along with location, there is another important factor, Oil. India imports 80% of its oil requirements. Most trade takes place through vital Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) in the Indian ocean. Security of these SLOCs has been a prime concern for India as the ocean has suffered from piracy. Chokepoint security like Gulf of Eden, Strait of Hormuz, straits of Malacca, etc has been another vital concern.

India shredded its “I am alone” approach in Indian Ocean in the 1990s with changing international atmosphere and its increasing trade as its New Economic policy. It has been engaged with all major stakeholders in the region for ‘ peace and security in the region.’ Platforms like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) needs to be strengthened to ensure this. India has carried out developmental diplomacy with small island nations like Mauritius, Syeceels. It has also helped in disasters like the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia. Along with this, the Indian Navy’s professionalism and formidable capabilities has built India’s image as a net security provider in the region.

India have moved into closer cooperation with the USA, Japan, and Australia as China had been trying to increase its sphere of influence in the region. Its new initiatives like SAGARMALA, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region ) are aimed to gain an edge over China in the region, especially in islands like Mauritius, Seychelles, etc. ‘Indo- Pacific’ as one politico-military entity and Quad are also evolving on these lines. Nirupama Rao quoted in 2012 “India and the Indian Ocean are inseparable. India’s location is its destiny.” 

(Indian Ocean view -source-gettyimages)

Thus, the Indian ocean provides a geography of opportunity to India to protect and promote its interests in the region in the near as well as distant future. 

Let's discuss the new construct- Indo-Pacific in shaping this future in the next article.

References-

The Indian Ocean- an essay by David Scott (Oxford handbook for Foreign Policy of India)

India (Re)discovers the Indian Ocean- Manoj Joshi, ORF 

Strategic Importance of Andaman and Nicobar- Sujay Chinoy, IDSA

Welcome note

Hello friends, welcome to the blog!

This is an attempt to analyze Indian foreign policy and international affairs dynamics, especially concerning India. It will focus on the challenges and opportunities which India has in the contemporary complex world. The Indian Ocean and its importance to world affairs in general and India, in particular, will be the first theme for this project.

        Thank you for your support and hope you enjoy reading!

                                            (source- article100.com)