What is the Indo-Pacific?
The Indo-Pacific is a geostrategic region extending from the eastern coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific Ocean.
📌 It connects Asia, Africa, and Oceania through vital sea lanes.
Why Indo-Pacific is Important
~60% of global trade passes through it
Contains key Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs)
Rich in energy & marine resources
Centre of global power shift to Asia
Rising maritime disputes & great-power rivalry
India’s Indo-Pacific Vision
Articulated at the Shangri-La Dialogue (2018) by PM Modi.
Core Principles
Free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific
ASEAN centrality
Respect for sovereignty & international law (UNCLOS)
Freedom of navigation & overflight
Dialogue over conflict
📌 India rejects bloc-based or exclusionary approaches.
Key Pillars of India’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
🌊 1️⃣ Maritime Security
Naval presence in Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
Anti-piracy patrols
Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
Information Fusion Centre – IOR (IFC-IOR)
🤝 2️⃣ Partnerships & Multilateralism
QUAD
ASEAN-led forums (EAS, ADMM-Plus)
IORA, BIMSTEC
India-Japan-Australia trilateral
🚢 3️⃣ SAGAR Doctrine
SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region
Capacity building of littoral states
HADR
Coastal surveillance support
🌐 4️⃣ Connectivity & Infrastructure
Ports & logistics cooperation
Quality infrastructure projects
Alternatives to debt-creating models
🌱 5️⃣ Economic & Trade Cooperation
Resilient supply chains
Blue economy
Digital & technology partnerships
India’s Key Indo-Pacific Partners
Partner
Cooperation
Japan
Infrastructure, maritime security
Australia
Navy, supply chains
USA
Defence, technology
ASEAN
Central pillar
France
Indo-Pacific territories
Challenges for India
China’s assertive maritime posture
Limited naval capacity vs commitments
ASEAN sensitivities
Balancing strategic autonomy
India vs Other Indo-Pacific Strategies
India
USA
Inclusive
Alliance-centric
ASEAN-centric
QUAD-centric
Non-militarised
Security-heavy
