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Rise of China and Indo Pacific Strategy

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1.1 Historical References: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:

  1. 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).
  2. Domination in global trade: China is the largest trading partner of 120+ countries.
  3. Industry and construction: China is called "World Factory" because more than 28% of global manufacturing is here.
  4. Technical Investment: China is leading in technologies like 5G, AI, and electric vehicles.

1.3 military modernization:

  1. PLA (People's Liberation Army) improvement: China is increasing its defence budget year by year - currently over $ 230 billion.
  2. Navy Extension: Pla Navy has now become the world's largest navy after the US, including aircraft, submarines and missile destroyers.
  3. Hypersonic and cyber warfare capabilities: China is also investing in cyber war and space defence.

1.4 Geophysical Extensionism:

  1. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): A global infrastructure project that China is investing in 150+ countries.
  2. Claims in the South China Sea: China has created several artificial islands disregarding international regulations and has made military deployment.
  3. 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:

  1. The word "Indo-Pacific" was proposed by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007-"Confluence of the two seas".
  2. 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:

  1. Free and open Indo-Pacific: No country should unilateral control over sea routes.
  2. Rules based arrangements: UN Charter and International Laws (eg UNCLOS) honor.
  3. Safety Cooperation: Collective Defense Exercise, Intelligence Partnership, Cyber ​​Security.
  4. Economic partnership: Alternative supply chains, digital trade, and regional connectivity.
  5. Climate and Disaster Management: Environmental Cooperation and Human Assistance (HADR).

3. Prominent players and stage

3.1 Quad (QuadRilateral Security Dialogue):

  1. Members: India, America, Japan and Australia
  2. Objective: Strategic coordination, supply chain safety, maritime monitoring, vaccine construction, climate cooperation.

3.2 Aukus:

  1. Member: Australia, United Kingdom, America
  2. 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:

  1. India's strategic place is at the centre of the Indian Ocean, so that it can monitor China's maritime straits.
  2. India's marine monitoring capacity is extremely important from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

4.2 India's strategic initiative:

  1. Malabar naval exercise: regular joint naval exercises with India, America, Japan, and Australia.
  2. Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-Oror): Center established by India to monitor maritime activities.
  3. 'Act East Policy': Policy to increase cooperation with Eastern and Southeast Asian countries.

4.3 Diplomatic challenges and opportunities:

  1. Border dispute with China: Incidents like Galwan complicate India-China relations.
  2. Strategic autonomy: India adopts a policy of multilateral cooperation without joining any faction.
  3. 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:

  1. China's aggressive stance: China's grip is increasing due to BRI and military expansion.
  2. Regional inequalities: Economic and military imbalances exist in the Indo-Pacific sector.
  3. Obstacles in joint strategy: The interests and priorities of all countries are not the same.

5.2 Prospects:

  1. Multilateral Cooperation: Like IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework) is focusing on digital trade, climate, and anti-corruption efforts.
  2. India's leadership: India as a democratic, developing, and military -capable country, India can play a decisive role in this strategy.
Post Date: 02-07-2025

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