{"id":34331,"date":"2018-10-30T17:02:53","date_gmt":"2018-10-30T11:32:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=34331"},"modified":"2018-10-30T17:02:53","modified_gmt":"2018-10-30T11:32:53","slug":"look-beyond-af-pak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/look-beyond-af-pak\/","title":{"rendered":"Look beyond Af-Pak:\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/look-beyond-afghanistan-pakistan-rex-tillerson-us-4908163\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look beyond Af-Pak<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Context<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United States seems to be looking at India\u2019s role in the Indian Ocean region as a counter-balance to China under the Revised South Asia Policy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Indian Ocean Region<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Indian Ocean Region extends from Australia in the east to South Africa in the west and leading economies of the world China, India, Japan and Australia depend on it.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Ocean is of great importance today arguably more than ever. It is a major conduit for <\/span><b>international trade, especially energy.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The littoral zone of Indian Ocean is vast, <\/span><b>densely populated<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and comprised of some of the world\u2019s fastest growing regions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ocean is a valuable source of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fishing and mineral resources<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. And yet its governance and security are under constant threat of being undermined, whether by non-state actors such as <\/span><b>pirates, smugglers, and terrorists<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or by furtive naval competition between states.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of late, the docking of Chinese submarines in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, forcing an Indian submarine to surface, <\/span><b>building of islands in the South China Sea,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> forging friendships with smaller Indian Ocean countries, an ambitious<\/span><b> Maritime Silk Road (MSR) touted as \u2018String of Pearls\u2019 and the massive expansion of PLA-Navy <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of late has created a buzz of discomfort in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Strait of Malacca<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It runs between I<\/span><b>ndonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has long been a major gateway for trade to and from Asia, and is once again rapidly rising in importance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Already the world\u2019s second-busiest waterway, it has been in continuous use since antiquity, with Roman, Greek, Chinese and Indian traders all taking advantage of this natural channel.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 only increased its significance as the Strait became a key link between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, reducing the distance between Europe and the Far East.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More recently it has served as the main transit route supplying vital commodities to fuel the fast-growing economies of Asia and beyond.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of the 87 million barrels of oil produced per day in 2011, approximately 15.2 million passed through the Strait of Malacca, the shortest sea route between African and Persian Gulf suppliers and Asian markets.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the link between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca is the shortest sea route between India and China and hence is one of the most heavily traveled shipping channels in the world.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Why is Indian Ocean Region Important?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Indian Ocean is important for three reasons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Firstly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it enjoys a privileged location at the<\/span><b> crossroads of global trade<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, connecting the major engines of the international economy in the Northern Atlantic and Asia-Pacific.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>energy flows<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through the Indian Ocean are of particular consequence. Some 36 million barrels per day which is equivalent to about 40 per cent of the world\u2019s oil supply and 64 per cent of oil trade\u2014travel through the entryways into and out of the Indian Ocean, including the Straits of Malacca and Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Secondly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><b>Ocean\u2019s vast drainage basin is important<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in its own right, creating opportunities, especially given the high rates of economic growth around the Indian Ocean rim, including in India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and Eastern and Southern Africa. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Finally<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><b>Indian Ocean is rich in natural resources.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 40 per cent of the world\u2019s offshore oil production takes place in the Indian Ocean basin.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fishing in the Indian Ocean accounts for almost 15 per cent of the world\u2019s total and has increased some 13-fold between 1950 and 2010 to 11.5 million tonnes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aquaculture in the region has also grown 12-fold since 1980. Although global fishing is reaching its natural limitations, the Indian Ocean may be able to sustain increases in production.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mineral resources are equally important, with nodules containing nickel, cobalt, and iron, and massive sulphide deposits of manganese, copper, iron, zinc, silver, and gold present in sizeable quantities on the sea-bed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>What is South Asia Policy?<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Asia as a region remains to be at the forefront of the United States\u2019 regional interests and concerns.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">President Trump\u2019s administration has brought a mix of change and continuity in the country\u2019s foreign and security policies, especially those in South Asia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The policy ranges from the situation in Afghanistan to ever-tightened relations with Pakistan alongside the rejuvenation of relations with India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The United States has numerous interests to be protected via this region and concerns to be pacified. Alongside the approval of more troops for Afghanistan, the meeting between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts to shape up US\u2019 policy towards South Asia.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Pros of the new South Asia policy<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>More military deployment in Afghanistan<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decision of U.S accompanying South Asian countries in throwing out terrorism from the region provides for a significant change in the <\/span><b>nature of military peace.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The security scenario will result into <\/span><b>sophistication of military operations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The new strategy will be dictated by \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the conditions on the ground\u201d not \u201carbitrary timetables<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d. \u00a0Such a move is necessary to <\/span><b>avoid the collapse<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the US-backed government in Kabul.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Strong hold on Pakistan<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second aspect of the new strategy is a <\/span><b>strong focus on Pakistan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to make sure it abides by its commitments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, U.S has expressed its concern over Pakistan actions in aborting terrorist activities. Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S has asked Pakistan, a change of approach, a break with the status quo, threatening that no partnership can survive a country\u2019s tolerance of militants and terrorists.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>India playing an important role<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The third part of the Trump strategy is <\/span><b>his outreach to India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, saying a \u201ccritical part\u201d of his administration\u2019s South Asia policy is to further develop the US\u2019s strategic partnership with India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S expects from India to play a greater role with the credible image it holds in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has also in return nodded in the friendly manner.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>What is Malabar exercise?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>History<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the year 1992, Malabar exercise kicked off which was 23 years ago, a bilateral drill between India and U.S.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the year 2015, Japan became the permanent member of the Malabar exercise. Japan since 2007 have participated as a non-permanent member along with Australia and Singapore.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The main aim of the exercise remained to address the shared security threat to maritime security in the Indo-Asia Pacific.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Recent developments<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>On 10th July, 2017 India, Japan and United States kicked off the Malabar naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tri-lateral naval exercise is the widest in scope than all its previous editions and will continue for 10 days.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malabar 2017 emanates at a crucial time when the Chinese navy is trying hard to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean region.<\/span><b>The main aim of the exercise is to address the shared threats to maritime security in the Indo-Asia Pacific.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Primary emphasis this year is on anti-submarine warfare.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Strategic and Maritime importance:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The trilateral (India-US-Japan) is of strategic as well as maritime importance due to following reasons:<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important from US view since they look India as balancing power of in Asia countering China\u2019s aspirations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exercise is also importance from peace, security and stability in Indian Ocean.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The technology shared among pioneer of naval countries can be helpful in emergencies like Tsunami, floods etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The exercise is important from India\u2019s viewpoint as India is getting the chance to get updated with new technology and mechanism related to naval warfare, management and security.<\/b>As ASEAN countries look to India for maritime security as well as balancing power in Asia. Such exercise can add values in their trust toward IndiaThe increasing ties between India and Japan are resulting into speculation of Australia joining it from next year, thus, adding more value to the exercise.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Factors like good diplomatic ties among the countries, sharing of means and measures, getting more knowledge of Indian Ocean and its terrain maintain its importance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exercise envisages greater role related to trade, Security, Commerce and Regional balances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>How can India be more proactive in the Indian Ocean Region?<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s leadership role will be important in determining the strategic future.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India is at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean,\u201d Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in a speech in Mauritius in 2015. \u201cThe Indian Ocean Region is at the top of our policy priorities.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of late, India has grown its military presence in the region, pretty much exponentially, by the Chinese showcasing that India needs to build an effective deterrence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>new ship acquisition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> policy announced by Arun Jaitley in July 2014, in order to raise India\u2019s home fleet by four times its current capacity, has been a welcome move.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Way forward<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Privatization of shipbuilding industry<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> needs to be undertaken if India is to make great strides in sea.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Policy to <\/span><b>build new ships<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fitting specifications by Navy so as to be ready for ocean transport could be explored.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is on the tables keeping in view the increase in Chinese submarine excursions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It had been reported last year that the shipping sector received 4272 crore million under Make In India scheme. But the funds are earmarked mainly to upgrade existing port facilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>The Maritime Agenda 2010\u20132020 pegs an investment of Rs 200 billion by 2020<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for dredging and with opportunities which cannot be met by Dredging Corporation of India, forming a policy on dredging and opening that sector to private players could help explore possibilities of extending it to meet military needs.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Look beyond Af-Pak:\u00a0 Context United States seems to be looking at India\u2019s role in the Indian Ocean region as a counter-balance to China under the Revised South Asia Policy. Indian Ocean Region Indian Ocean Region extends from Australia in the east to South Africa in the west and leading economies of the world China, India,&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/look-beyond-af-pak\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Look beyond Af-Pak:\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[555],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-test-1","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":{"total":0,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1704659383},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34331\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}