INDO-PACIFIC ARMIES CHIEFS CONFERENCE(IPACC)

Source: The post is based on the article “INDO-PACIFIC ARMIES CHIEFS CONFERENCE(IPACC)” published in “PIB” on 28th September 2023.

What is the News?

The Defence Minister delivered the inaugural address at the 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conference(IPACC) in New Delhi.

What is the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conference(IPACC)?

Organized by: Indian Army with the US Army 

Aim: To provide an opportunity for the delegates to exchange ideas and views on security and other contemporary issues of mutual interest, with core efforts directed to promote ‘Peace and Stability’ in the Indo-Pacific region.

Participation: The conference witnessed participation from 30 countries. 18 countries were represented by Chiefs of their respective Armies and 12 countries were represented by Heads of Delegations. 

What are the key highlights from the Defence Minister’s address at the conference?

Importance of Indo Pacific region: The Indo-Pacific is no more a maritime construct, but a full-fledged geo-strategic construct, and the region is facing a complex web of security challenges, including boundary disputes & and piracy.

The Geo-Strategic Importance of the Indo-Pacific can be explained through a theoretical model by American author and speaker Mr Stephen R. Covey, which is based on two circles – ‘Circle of Concern’ and ‘Circle of Influence’.

– The ‘Circle of Concern’ encompasses everything one cares about, including things that can be controlled and things that cannot. It includes a wide range of external factors & issues such as global events, economic conditions, other people’s opinions, weather and many other aspects of life.

– The ‘Circle of Influence’ comprises things over which one has direct control or can exert some degree of influence.It may involve your attitudes, behaviors, decisions, relationships, and actions.

The Defence Minister applied this model to international relations.He highlighted that nations may have overlapping ‘Circles of Concern,’ which could lead to conflicts or cooperation.

– For example, International maritime trade routes passing through high seas beyond the Exclusive Economic Zones of any country is a relevant example.This concern was addressed through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982.This agreement establishes the legal framework for maritime activities and addresses the issues arising from overlapping ‘circles of concern’ of different nations.

Similarly, states must identify and seek to expand their ‘Circle of Influence’ to promote national interests on the global stage.This may involve building partnerships, participating in regional organizations and employing diplomatic, economic or military tools strategically.