News Highlights:
- Recently, Bangladesh announced its 15-point Indo-Pacific Outlook (IPO), envisioning a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
- According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh will work with all the stakeholders for peacekeeping, peace-building and counter-terrorism initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region.
What is the Indo-Pacific Region?
- About:
- Indo-Pacific is a recent concept. About a decade ago, the world started talking about the Indo-Pacific; its rise has been quite significant.
- One of the reasons behind the popularity of this term is an understanding that the Indian Ocean and the Pacific are linked to strategic theatre.
- Also, the centre of gravity has shifted to Asia. The reason being maritime routes, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific provide the sea lanes. The majority of the world’s trade passes through these oceans.
- Significance:
- The Indo-Pacific region is one of the world’s most populous and economically active regions, including four continents: Asia, Africa, Australia and America.
- The dynamism and vitality of the region are self-evident; 60% of the world’s population and 2/3rd of the global economic output make this region a global economic centre.
- The region is also a great source and destination for Foreign Direct Investment. Many of the world’s critical and large supply chains have an Indo-Pacific connection.
- Marine resources:
- There are vast reserves of marine resources in the Indian and Pacific Oceans combined, including offshore hydrocarbons, methane hydrates, seabed minerals and rare earth metals.
- Sizable coastlines and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) provide littoral countries with competitive capabilities for exploiting these resources.
- In turn, a number of the world’s largest economies are located in the Indo-Pacific region, including India, U.S.A, China, Japan, and Australia.
India’s Perspective of the Indo-Pacific:
- Peace and Security in the Indian Ocean:
- 90% of India’s trade and its energy supplies are transported via the Indian Ocean, while about 50% of India’s trade is concentrated in the Indo-Pacific region.
- India seeks to guarantee freedom of navigation, protect choke points, end conflicts amicably, and confront unconventional security concerns in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
- Countering China
- India aspires to reduce the role of China in the region with an inclusive approach with other nations so that Chinese aggressions will take a back stand.
- Geo-Political aspirations:
- To expand its own presence in the region, especially in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia and maintain its role as a net security provider.
- Fostering sustainable development:
- Climate change will have a negative impact on India in the future. India supports the region’s sustainable development as a result of the growth of the blue economy.
Current Challenges in the Indo-Pacific:
- Geo-Strategic Competition:
- Indo-Pacific is the principal theatre of geo-strategic competition between different multilateral institutions like QUAD and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
- China’s Militarization Move:
- China’s Militarization Move: China has been a challenge to India’s interests and stability in the Indian Ocean. India’s neighbours are receiving military and infrastructural assistance from China, including submarines for Myanmar, frigates for Sri Lanka, and its overseas military base in Djibouti (Horn of Africa).
- Also, China has a hold over Hambantota port (Sri Lanka), which is just a few hundred miles off the shores of India.
- Non-Traditional Issues:
- The region’s vastness makes it difficult to assess and address multiple risks, including incidents of piracy, trafficking and terrorism.
- The Indo-Pacific region is facing serious challenges related to geographical and ecological stability due to climate change and the three consecutive La Niña events that are causing cyclones and tsunamis.
- Also, illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and marine pollution is hampering the aquatic life of this region.
- Limited Naval Capacity:
- Indian Navy has limited resources and capacity to strengthen its efforts because of the limited allocation of the Indian military budget.
- Also, the lack of overseas military bases creates a fundamental logistical challenge for India to maintain its presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Conclusion:
- India has a dominant position in the region thanks to its geopolitical advantage, which has to be used more effectively to advance national objectives.
- To add greater content and strength to regional and bilateral collaborations, new areas of cooperation must be found.
- This will give India and the nations in the Indo-Pacific area as a whole traction for growth, prosperity, and security.
Pic Courtesy: Freepik
Content Source: The Hindu