A pivot in Asia 

A pivot in Asia 

Context

The National Defence Strategy (NDS) and the National Security Strategy (NSS) released recently by the U.S. showcase the country’s strategic priorities and the way forward. As the two documents lay considerable focus on the ‘Indo-Pacific’, they will serve as crucial policy indicators for India and the region. The previous Obama administration too laid considerable focus on Asia-Pacific under its ‘Rebalance to Asia’ strategy.

India can be a ‘consensus builder’ in its neighbourhood before moving ahead with its role as ‘net security provider’

• The NDS is reflective of the changing geopolitical realities in Asia. The U.S. administration has shifted its focus from the Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific as a reference point of its maritime strategy.
• With its withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the U.S. is looking for multilateral economic engagement with Asian economies. On the strategic front, apart from building missile defence systems with Japan and South Korea to checkmate North Korea, U.S. President Donald Trump has shown keenness to align with the ‘Quad’ to counter China’s rise.

China’s intrusion into Indian neighbourhood

• India’s neighbourhood is demonstrating changes under China’s influence.
• Chinese infrastructure and loan diplomacy have impacted India’s immediate neighbourhood.
• There has been a constant Chinese strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
•  At the multilateral level, India is checkmated by China on the issues of terrorism and membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Little outcome of Act East Policy

• Over the last three years, India has worked to secure a major diplomatic engagement to secure its relations with its immediate neighbourhood as well as further its relations with ASEAN under the ‘Act East’ policy to counter China.
• However, there is little tangible evidence of any significant outcome of the engagement so far.

China can’t risk the success of BRI

• China has invested significant capital to push ahead its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Its economy will be dependent on the success of the BRI and cooperation with other states, so China will not want to destabilise the region.

Need for a unity in the Indo Pacific to stand against China

• As no single country in the Indo-Pacific region can rise to the challenge posed by China and other security concerns, there needs to be a building of unity.
• India can be that ‘consensus builder’ in its neighbourhood before moving ahead with its role as ‘net security provider’ in the region.