Both the Indo-Pacific strategy of the US and the Belt and Road Initiative of China is about geopolitical interest'. Comment.
Approach:
- Explain the concept of the Indo-Pacific.
- Mention the features of the Indo-Pacific strategy of US.
- Mention the features of the Belt and Road Initiative of China.
- Discuss about the geopolitical interest in both of the strategies.
- Mention about the status of India in the above strategies.
- Make an appropriate conclusion.
Concept of Indo-Pacific:
The Indo-Pacific is the geographical region extending from the west coast of the Americas to the east coast of Africa. The region gains global attention due to their strategic location and emerging economies in the region. More than half of the world trade happens in this region and holds potential as most of the countries in the region are developing at a fast phase. The region also faces threat of conflict between nations and climate change.
Indo-Pacific strategy of US:
Indo-Pacific strategy is the defence policy of the US. It aims to ensure free and open Indo- Pacific region. It will promote all nations, large and small, to secure their sovereignty and to pursue economic growth consistent with accepted international rules, norms, and principles of fair competition. In order to achieve this the US makes cooperation with its allies in the region like the QUAD group.
Belt and Road Initiative of China:
The more assertive China tries to extend its influence in the Eurasian and African region through its Belt and Road Initiative. It is a combination of economic corridors and transport corridors to connect China with the other parts of the world. China makes huge investment in these countries for the infrastructure development.
Geopolitical Interests:
The US Indo-Pacific strategy is directed towards the containment of the rise of the assertive China to maintain its hegemony in the region. The US also has the interest to protect the main allies in the region who are threatened by China. It is evident from the issue of the South China sea right of navigation.
China faces the problem of surplus production and imminent threat of stagnation of the economy. It also faces the dilemma of choke points in the Indian ocean region like the Malacca strait. Any disturbance in these sea links severely affects China's economic prospects. Thus the BRI helps China to utilize its surplus capital to gain returns over it. At the same time protecting its economic interest and Chinese influence over nations.
Status of India:
India is considered as a major player in the Indo Pacific strategy by the US. The strategic location of India in the Indian ocean makes the US to use India to contain the rise of assertive China. In this matter like minded nation the region are conducting defence exercises like the Malabar exercise. A Quad grouping between India, US, Japan and Australia was initiated for better cooperation. India does not form part of the Belt and Road Initiative due to the nature of the investments and the compromise of the sovereignty of the countries. Most of the neighbours of India who are part of the BRI are in the threat of debt trap of China. India also faces defence threat by the activities of the China in the Indian Ocean region.
Conclusion:
Though both the BRI and the Indo Pacific strategy seems cooperation with other countries, it has a geopolitical interest of its propounders. It is up to the countries in the region to decide upon according to their national interest.
Approach:
- Explain the concept of the Indo-Pacific.
- Mention the features of the Indo-Pacific strategy of US.
- Mention the features of the Belt and Road Initiative of China.
- Discuss about the geopolitical interest in both of the strategies.
- Mention about the status of India in the above strategies.
- Make an appropriate conclusion.
Concept of Indo-Pacific:
The Indo-Pacific is the geographical region extending from the west coast of the Americas to the east coast of Africa. The region gains global attention due to their strategic location and emerging economies in the region. More than half of the world trade happens in this region and holds potential as most of the countries in the region are developing at a fast phase. The region also faces threat of conflict between nations and climate change.
Indo-Pacific strategy of US:
Indo-Pacific strategy is the defence policy of the US. It aims to ensure free and open Indo- Pacific region. It will promote all nations, large and small, to secure their sovereignty and to pursue economic growth consistent with accepted international rules, norms, and principles of fair competition. In order to achieve this the US makes cooperation with its allies in the region like the QUAD group.
Belt and Road Initiative of China:
The more assertive China tries to extend its influence in the Eurasian and African region through its Belt and Road Initiative. It is a combination of economic corridors and transport corridors to connect China with the other parts of the world. China makes huge investment in these countries for the infrastructure development.
Geopolitical Interests:
The US Indo-Pacific strategy is directed towards the containment of the rise of the assertive China to maintain its hegemony in the region. The US also has the interest to protect the main allies in the region who are threatened by China. It is evident from the issue of the South China sea right of navigation.
China faces the problem of surplus production and imminent threat of stagnation of the economy. It also faces the dilemma of choke points in the Indian ocean region like the Malacca strait. Any disturbance in these sea links severely affects China's economic prospects. Thus the BRI helps China to utilize its surplus capital to gain returns over it. At the same time protecting its economic interest and Chinese influence over nations.
Status of India:
India is considered as a major player in the Indo Pacific strategy by the US. The strategic location of India in the Indian ocean makes the US to use India to contain the rise of assertive China. In this matter like minded nation the region are conducting defence exercises like the Malabar exercise. A Quad grouping between India, US, Japan and Australia was initiated for better cooperation. India does not form part of the Belt and Road Initiative due to the nature of the investments and the compromise of the sovereignty of the countries. Most of the neighbours of India who are part of the BRI are in the threat of debt trap of China. India also faces defence threat by the activities of the China in the Indian Ocean region.
Conclusion:
Though both the BRI and the Indo Pacific strategy seems cooperation with other countries, it has a geopolitical interest of its propounders. It is up to the countries in the region to decide upon according to their national interest.
