US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy

• 14 Feb 2022

For Prelims: US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, Indo-Pacific Region.

For Mains: Free and open Indo-Pacific, US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, Tackling China’s assertiveness, India’s Role.

Why in News?

Recently, the US administration has announced its long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy.The document focuses on building collective capacity to deal with challenges in the region.

• These include a focus on challenges from China, advancing the US relationship, a ‘Major Defense Partnership’ with India and supporting its role as a net security provider in the region.
• There is an emphasis on working with other countries not just from the region, but also from beyond.
• Earlier, the European Union had announced that it will reinforce its strategic focus, presence and actions in the Indo-Pacific with the aim of contributing to the stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development of the region.

What are the Key Points of US’ Indo-Pacific strategy?

• Vision of Indo-Pacific: The US will seek an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient.
  • Free: One of the strategic actions outlined is investing in civil society, a free press and democratic institutions.
  • Connections: Within and beyond the region.
    • The US says it will work “in flexible groupings” to tackle major issues, “particularly through the QUAD.”
    • It will also deepen its (five) regional treaty alliances and work with groups such as ASEAN, the European Union (EU) and NATO.
    • AUKUS, a security alliance between Australia, the UK and the US has also been recently launched.
  • Prosperity: To advance its prosperity goal for the region, the US’ strategy includes seeking higher labour and environmental standards, helping to establish secure supply chains and investing in clean energy.
  • Security: The US has announced that “Integrated deterrence” will form the “cornerstone” of the US’ security plan for the region.
    • It will drive initiatives that reinforce deterrence and counter coercion, such as opposing efforts to alter territorial boundaries or undermine the rights of sovereign nations at sea.
  • Resilience: The Indo-Pacific faces major transnational challenges.
    • Climate change is growing ever-more severe as South Asia’s glaciers melt and the Pacific Islands battle existential rises in sea levels.
    • Further,the Indo-Pacific governments grapple with natural disasters, resource scarcity, internal conflict, and governance challenges.
    • In this context, US envisages to build regional resilience to 21^st century transnational threats, including by:
      • Working with allies and partners to develop 2030 and 2050 targets, strategies, plans, and policies consistent with limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
      • Reducing regional vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
• Role of India: India’s role in the QUAD is an important element of the US-India relationship.
  • US will “continue to support India’s rise and regional leadership,” working with India bilaterally and through groups on a range of issues.
  • It refers to India as a “like-minded partner” and “driving force” in the QUAD.
  • China's action along the Line of Actual Control (i.e., its border conflict with India) has had a “galvanizing impact” on India and US alignment.
  • Collaborate in new domains, such as health, space, and cyberspace, deepen economic and technology cooperation, and contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• China’s Assertiveness: US allies and partners in the region bear much of the effect of China’s assertive policies.
  • The economic coercion of Australia.
  • The conflict along the Line of Actual Control with India.
  • The growing pressure on Taiwan.
  • Bullying of Japan, ASEAN countries in the East and South China Seas.

Source: TH