Why in the news?

  • Indian Defence Minister calls for a rule-based, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific free from any type of coercion in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ conclave.

Indo – Pacific Region, Its Significance and Challenges

  • What is it?: The Indo-Pacific region is a vast and strategically vital geographic area encompassing the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including key countries such as India, China, Japan, Australia, and the United States.
  • Significance of Indo-Pacific Region:
    • Economic Significance:
      • Accounts for over 60% of global GDP and 65% of global trade.
      • Home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies (India, China, ASEAN, Australia).
      • Maritime trade routes through Strait of Malacca, Hormuz, Lombok, and Sunda carry vital energy and goods.
    • Strategic and Security Significance:
      • Maritime chokepoints are crucial for global energy security.
      • The region is witnessing great-power competition mainly between the U.S. and China.
      • Naval presence of multiple powers makes it the epicentre of strategic balance.
      • Contains key military bases and maritime partnerships (QUAD, AUKUS, IORA).
    • Political and Diplomatic Importance:
      • Home to ASEAN, SAARC, and Pacific Islands Forum, the major regional groupings shaping diplomacy.
      • Serves as a platform for multilateralism and regional cooperation.
      • India advocates for an open, inclusive, rules-based order ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight.
    • Environmental and Humanitarian Importance:
      • Region highly vulnerable to climate change, sea-level rise, and natural disasters.
      • Cooperation is vital for disaster resilience, blue economy, and sustainable fisheries.
  • Challenges in Indo-Pacific Region:
    • Geopolitical Rivalries:
      • China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea (militarisation, artificial islands).
      • U.S.–China competition shaping alliances and counter-strategies.
      • Territorial disputes among ASEAN states and East Asian powers.
    • Maritime Security threats:
      • Piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, terrorism, and cyber threats.
      • Inadequate maritime domain awareness (MDA) among littoral states.
    • Economic Fragmentation:
      • Rival connectivity frameworks create divides. e.g.: BRI vs. IMEC/AAGC.
      • Dependence on China-centric supply chains raises vulnerability.
    • Environmental Challenges:
      • Frequent cyclones, coral bleaching, and sea-level rise threaten small island nations.
      • Need for sustainable exploitation of blue-economy resources.
    • Institutional Weakness:
      • Lack of a unified regional architecture; overlapping institutions cause policy incoherence.
      • Disparity in capacities among regional states.
  • Way Forward:
    • Strengthen rules-based maritime order through UNCLOS compliance.
    • Promote ASEAN centrality and multilateral dialogue mechanisms.
    • Deepen QUAD and IPOI cooperation for technology, health, and disaster management.
    • Invest in Blue Economy, green shipping, and climate resilience.
    • Expand regional connectivity and supply chain diversification through IMEC and AAGC.
    • Enhance India’s naval presence and capacity-building partnerships in the Indian Ocean and Pacific.