Eastern Indian Ocean to Western and Central Pacific
Ocean
Term Coined in 2007 by an Indian Researcher for
marine biodiversity comprising of entire Indian and Pacific Ocean
Geo-strategic use is recent phenomenon
Defining Indo-Pacific Policy Indo-Pacific Policy of US was announced by US president Donald Trump in 2017
“US policy to limit the growing Chinese
influence in Indo-Pacific Region with the help of regional allies” Indo-Pacific Policy: An extension of Pivot Asia/Rebalance to Asia US president Obama announced Pivot- Asia in 2012 based on article published in 2011. Main thrust of this policy was develop close strategic partnerships with Asia- Pacific states Pivot Asia (Rebalance to Asia) Military Component: Military Security guarantee Deployment of Military Establishment of Military Bases Sale of Modern Weapons Deployment of modern weapons Nuclear Shield Missile Defense Systems Increased maritime presence Economic Component of Pivot Asia: Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Signed in 2015 by 12 States Basic objective was to Isolate China in the region US withdrew from TPP in 2017 Yet to be ratified Indo-Pacific Policy (2017): Extension in Pivot Asia: China declared officially as Rival and threat by US president Donald Trump Region under the policy was expanded India: A central state in this policy ○ Quad (2007): A four state naval alliance involving US, India, Japan and Australia. They hold annual naval exercises ○ LEMOA (2016): Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement. A bilateral military logistic agreement between US and India. ○ COMCASA (2018): Communication compatibility and Security Agreement. A bilateral military intelligence agreement between US and India. Under this: 1. US and India shall share military intelligence, 2. US allowed India to purchase Intelligence gathering technologies from US ○ US sold India Unarmed and Armed Drones in 2017 and 2019 respectively. These drones specialize in maritime operations. ○ US sold India ATAC Helicopters in 2019. They are multirole: Rescue, Transportation and Anti-ship and Anti-submarine Missile systems ○ US is negotiating to sell an Aircraft Carrier to India US withdrew from TPP Name of US Pacific Command changed to Indo-Pacific Command US rebalance to Asia (Asia Pivot) Chinese Island Disputes China’s Response to Indo- Pacific/Pivot Asia Policy Belt and Road Initiative especially CPEC Strengthening Navy Regional Comprehensive Partnership (RCEP): A free trade agreement by China with 14 other states (China, ASEAN states (10), Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea (India decided not to join in November 2019) BRI CPEC RCEP