Recently, the US administration finally announced its long-anticipated Indo-Pacific strategy. The primary focus of this strategy is building collective capacity to face challenges within the region, including from China. The partnership with India, deemed a ‘Major Defense Partnership,’ is integral to supporting India’s role as a net security provider in the region. The European Union had previously stated that it would reinforce its strategic focus and presence in the Indo-Pacific in a bid to contribute to the stability, prosperity, security, and sustainable development of the region.
Key Components of the US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy
The US’ vision for the Indo-Pacific encompasses various elements such as freedom, connectivity, prosperity, security, and resilience. The US will invest in civil society, free press, and democratic institutions as strategic actions. They plan to create connections within and beyond the region using flexible groupings to tackle significant issues. This will be achieved through QUAD, as well as deepening their regional treaty alliances with groups such as ASEAN, the EU, and NATO. They have also announced the recent launch of AUKUS, a security alliance between Australia, the UK, and the US.
Advancing Prosperity and Security Goals
To advance prosperity, the US aims to enforce higher labor and environmental standards, establish secure supply chains, and invest in clean energy. The recently announced ‘Integrated deterrence’ forms the cornerstone of the US’ security plan for the region, driving initiatives that counter coercion and uphold the rights of sovereign nations.
Building Resilience Against Transnational Threats
The Indo-Pacific region faces numerous transnational challenges, including climate change and its severe impacts, natural disasters, resource scarcity, internal conflict, and governance challenges. The US aims to build regional resilience against such threats through alliances and partnerships. They plan to create strategies for limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius and reducing regional vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation.
India’s Role in the Indo-Pacific Strategy
As a major defense partner, India has an important role in the QUAD and the US-India relationship. It is referred to as a ‘like-minded partner’ and ‘driving force’ in the QUAD. The US aims to continue supporting India’s rise and regional leadership in a variety of issues. It further emphasizes that China’s actions along the Line of Actual Control have had a significant impact on the alliance between India and the US.
Tackling China’s Assertiveness
The assertive policies of China affect US allies and partners in the region. Examples include economic coercion of Australia, conflict along the Line of Actual Control with India, increased pressure on Taiwan, and intimidation tactics against Japan and ASEAN countries in the East and South China Seas. The US strategy aims to tackle these challenges and uphold the principles of freedom and security in the Indo-Pacific region.