In December 2024, India hosted the 2nd Land Forces Summit (LFS), attended by military leaders from several nations. This summit focused on India’s security strategy in the Indian Ocean Region and the importance of multinational defence cooperation. Notably, it included participation from the Army Chiefs of Japan, the United States, Australia, and the Philippines. The discussions aimed to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
Significance of the Summit
The LFS 2024 was important platform for addressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. It reinforced India’s role in regional stability. The summit brought into light the need for collaboration among like-minded countries. It also served to strengthen ties within the QUAD grouping, which includes India, the US, Australia, and Japan. Maritime security was a central theme, reflecting the collective commitment to uphold a secure maritime environment.
India’s Defence Strategy
General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of Army Staff, articulated India’s strategic vision during the summit. He emphasised the importance of a cohesive approach to security in the Indian Ocean Region. India’s defence strategy involves enhancing partnerships to address common threats. This includes improving maritime domain awareness and increasing collaborative military exercises.
QUAD’s Role in Regional Security
The QUAD grouping plays a very important role in ensuring maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. The member countries are working together to boost security frameworks. They aim to counterbalance regional threats and promote stability. The QUAD’s focus on a free and open Indo-Pacific aligns with India’s broader security objectives.
India-Philippines Relations
India has encourageed strong ties with the Philippines, particularly through its Look East and Act East policies. These policies have enhanced political, security, and economic cooperation between the two nations. The relationship has diversified, encompassing trade, industry, and cultural exchanges. This partnership is vital for regional stability and security.
Future Prospects
The outcomes of the LFS 2024 suggest a continued commitment to defence cooperation. Future summits are likely to build on these discussions. Enhanced collaboration among QUAD nations will be essential in addressing emerging security challenges. The focus will remain on encouraging a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the impact of the QUAD on regional security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
- Estimate the significance of India’s Look East Policy in reshaping its relations with Southeast Asian nations.
- Point out the key challenges faced by India in ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
- What is the role of multinational defence cooperation in enhancing regional stability? Discuss with suitable examples.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically analyse the impact of the QUAD on regional security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
- QUAD enhances collective security efforts among member nations (India, US, Australia, Japan).
- Focus on maritime security helps counter regional threats, particularly from China.
- Facilitates joint military exercises and intelligence sharing, strengthening defense capabilities.
- Promotes a rules-based international order, supporting freedom of navigation and overflight.
- Encourages collaboration with other regional partners, enhancing overall security architecture.
2. Estimate the significance of India’s Look East Policy in reshaping its relations with Southeast Asian nations.
- Initiated in 1992, it aimed to strengthen economic and strategic ties with ASEAN countries.
- Facilitated increased trade, investment, and cultural exchanges with Southeast Asian nations.
- Enhanced India’s influence in regional security dialogues and frameworks.
- Act East Policy (2014) further diversified relations, focusing on political-security and economic cooperation.
- Strengthened bilateral ties with countries like the Philippines, contributing to regional stability.
3. Point out the key challenges faced by India in ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Increasing naval presence of China in the Indian Ocean poses a strategic challenge.
- Maritime piracy and terrorism threaten safe navigation and trade routes.
- Need for improved maritime domain awareness and surveillance capabilities.
- Complex geopolitical rivalries in the region complicate cooperative security efforts.
- Environmental challenges, such as climate change, impact maritime security and resource management.
4. What is the role of multinational defence cooperation in enhancing regional stability? Discuss with suitable examples.
- Multinational cooperation encourages trust and interoperability among armed forces of different nations.
- Joint exercises, like Malabar, enhance readiness and response capabilities to regional threats.
- Facilitates sharing of intelligence and best practices in counter-terrorism and maritime security.
- Examples include QUAD’s maritime security initiatives and ASEAN’s defense collaborations.
- Strengthens collective bargaining power in international forums, promoting a unified stance on security issues.
