Rise of China and Indo Pacific Strategy

Asia is becoming the centre of global politics in the 21st century. The main reason for this is-China's rapid economic, military and geopolitical rise. At the same time, the Indo-Pacific strategy has originated to balance this rise. Countries like America, India, Japan and Australia are trying to maintain a free, inclusive and rules-based international system through this strategy.
1. The Rise of China as a Global Power
1.1 Historical References:
After the establishment of communist China in 1949, the country was part of the closed and planned economy for several decades. But in 1978, the Economic Reform and Opening-up launched by Deng Shiaoping changed China's fate.
1.2 Rose as Economic Power:
- GDP boom: China is the second largest economy in the world after America today. Its gross domestic product (GDP) exceeds $ 17 trillion (estimated of 2024).
- Domination in global trade: China is the largest trading partner of 120+ countries.
- Industry and construction: China is called "World Factory" because more than 28% of global manufacturing is here.
- Technical Investment: China is leading in technologies like 5G, AI, and electric vehicles.
1.3 military modernization:
- PLA (People's Liberation Army) improvement: China is increasing its defence budget year by year - currently over $ 230 billion.
- Navy Extension: Pla Navy has now become the world's largest navy after the US, including aircraft, submarines and missile destroyers.
- Hypersonic and cyber warfare capabilities: China is also investing in cyber war and space defence.
1.4 Geophysical Extensionism:
- Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): A global infrastructure project that China is investing in 150+ countries.
- Claims in the South China Sea: China has created several artificial islands disregarding international regulations and has made military deployment.
- Wolf Warrior Diplomacy: China is now adopting aggressive diplomacy, causing its relationship with many countries to become tense.
2. Indo-Pacific strategy: from hypothesis to reality
2.1 Origin of concept:
- The word "Indo-Pacific" was proposed by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007-"Confluence of the two seas".
- This strategy is based on the idea that the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean have now become a strategic and economically integrated area.
2.2 major objectives:
- Free and open Indo-Pacific: No country should unilateral control over sea routes.
- Rules based arrangements: UN Charter and International Laws (eg UNCLOS) honor.
- Safety Cooperation: Collective Defense Exercise, Intelligence Partnership, Cyber Security.
- Economic partnership: Alternative supply chains, digital trade, and regional connectivity.
- Climate and Disaster Management: Environmental Cooperation and Human Assistance (HADR).
3. Prominent players and stage
3.1 Quad (QuadRilateral Security Dialogue):
- Members: India, America, Japan and Australia
- Objective: Strategic coordination, supply chain safety, maritime monitoring, vaccine construction, climate cooperation.
3.2 Aukus:
- Member: Australia, United Kingdom, America
- Objective: Supply of nuclear submarines to Australia, strength balance in Indo-Pacific.
3.3 Asean's role:
ASEAN countries want to be a part of this strategy but want to avoid conflict with China. They emphasize "Asean Centrality".
4. India's role: from strategic perspective
4.1 India's geographical and strategic status:
- India's strategic place is at the centre of the Indian Ocean, so that it can monitor China's maritime straits.
- India's marine monitoring capacity is extremely important from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
4.2 India's strategic initiative:
- Malabar naval exercise: regular joint naval exercises with India, America, Japan, and Australia.
- Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-Oror): Center established by India to monitor maritime activities.
- 'Act East Policy': Policy to increase cooperation with Eastern and Southeast Asian countries.
4.3 Diplomatic challenges and opportunities:
- Border dispute with China: Incidents like Galwan complicate India-China relations.
- Strategic autonomy: India adopts a policy of multilateral cooperation without joining any faction.
- Blue Economy and Marine Resources: India is promoting sustainable development, maritime security and blue economy in the Indo-Pacific sector.
5. Future prospects and challenges
5.1 Challenges:
- China's aggressive stance: China's grip is increasing due to BRI and military expansion.
- Regional inequalities: Economic and military imbalances exist in the Indo-Pacific sector.
- Obstacles in joint strategy: The interests and priorities of all countries are not the same.
5.2 Prospects:
- Multilateral Cooperation: Like IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework) is focusing on digital trade, climate, and anti-corruption efforts.
- India's leadership: India as a democratic, developing, and military -capable country, India can play a decisive role in this strategy.
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