India's Indo-Pacific Odyssey

• Quad Leaders' Summit (May 2023): Held in Hiroshima, reaffirming commitment to "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." Focused on critical tech, climate change, infrastructure, supply chain resilience, maritime domain awareness. (Source: Quad Leaders' Joint Statement).
• Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Supply Chain Agreement (Nov 2023): India key member. Aims to build resilient, diversified, secure supply chains, reducing over-reliance on single sources (read: China). (Source: USTR, White House).
• Deepening India-ASEAN Ties (2023): Elevated to "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" and agreed to a Vision Statement for Future Partnership, encompassing broader cooperation in trade, investment, digital transformation, maritime security, and sustainable development. (Source: MEA, ASEAN Secretariat).
• India-Australia CECA (Dec 2022) and India-UAE CEPA (May 2022): Bilateral trade deals reflecting India's strategy to pursue specific FTAs post-RCEP opt-out. (Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry).
• Maritime Patrols and HADR: The Indian Navy continues its regular anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and actively participates in HADR missions in the Indian Ocean region, demonstrating its commitment as a net security provider. (Source: Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence).
• SCO Counter-Terrorism Exercises (2023): As members of SCO, India and Central Asian countries participated in joint counter-terrorism exercises and discussions under the framework of SCO RATS, reinforcing their commitment to combating regional terrorism. (Source: SCO official website, Ministry of Defence).

Prelims MCQs:

1. (2023) In the context of geopolitics, which of the following organizations has recently become a permanent member of the G20, largely due to India's advocacy?

   • (a) African Development Bank
   • (b) African Union (AU)
   • (c) East African Community (EAC)
   • (d) Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

   Hint: While not directly about Indo-Pacific, it reflects India's role in shaping global governance and regional architecture.

2. (2021) With reference to the "Quad", consider the following statements:

   1. It is a strategic security dialogue between India, Japan, South Korea and the United States.
   2. It aims to promote a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" region.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2

   Hint: This is a direct question on Quad, a key component of India's Indo-Pacific strategy.

3. (2018) 'Doha Development Round' of the WTO talks stalled due to differences between:

   • (a) Developed and Developing Countries
   • (b) Developed and Least Developed Countries
   • (c) Developed Countries and BRICS Countries
   • (d) Major trading blocs (e.g., EU and NAFTA)

   Hint: India's trade policies and its stance in WTO negotiations impact its engagement with Southeast Asian trading partners.

Mains Questions:

1. (2021) "The global order is rapidly shifting from a unipolar to a multipolar world." Discuss the implications of this shift for India's foreign policy. (15 Marks)

   Direction: India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy are central to its foreign policy response to a multipolar world, aiming to shape regional architecture and balance power.

2. (2019) What is the significance of the 1994 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea? Discuss its key provisions and their implications for maritime security. (15 Marks)

   Direction: Directly relevant to this topic. Discuss UNCLOS as the legal framework for maritime security, India's adherence, and its application to issues like the South China Sea disputes and freedom of navigation.

3. (2017) "India's foreign policy is best understood through the lens of strategic autonomy, which blends elements of both realism and liberalism." Discuss. (15 Marks)

   Direction: India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision (e.g., Quad engagement for security, emphasis on rules-based order) are prime examples of this blend, balancing power politics (realism) with multilateral cooperation and norms (liberalism).

UPSC's questioning on India and Southeast Asia/Indo-Pacific has seen a consistent and significant increase, reflecting the region's paramount strategic importance for India. The trend is towards analytical, comprehensive, and current affairs-driven questions.

Prelims:

• Earlier: Might have focused on basic facts about ASEAN or Look East Policy.
• Current Trend: Questions are increasingly conceptual and specific about key policies (Act East, IPOI), strategic groupings (Quad, EAS), and economic decisions (RCEP opt-out). Strong emphasis on understanding the rationale behind India's strategies (e.g., balancing China, connectivity imperatives) and the implications of major regional developments (e.g., SCS disputes, IPEF).

Mains:

• Earlier: Could involve a descriptive account of India-ASEAN relations.
• Current Trend: Questions demand critical analysis of the depth, strategic drivers, and challenges of India's engagement. Expected to analyze evolution of policies, discuss strategic competition, examine economic/security dimensions, evaluate major policy decisions, and utilize recent events.

Overall, UPSC seeks candidates who understand the dynamism, multi-faceted nature, and strategic significance of India's engagement with Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific, recognizing its role in India's aspiration for a leading global power status and its contribution to regional stability.

1. The "Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)", announced by India at the East Asia Summit (EAS), primarily aims to:

   • (a) Establish a military alliance to counter specific regional powers.
   • (b) Focus solely on marine resource exploitation in the Indian Ocean.
   • (c) Promote an open, inclusive, and rules-based maritime domain through seven pillars of cooperation.
   • (d) Create a single economic bloc spanning the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

   Explanation: IPOI is India's vision for the Indo-Pacific, focusing on cooperation across seven pillars related to the maritime domain, emphasizing inclusivity and a rules-based order, rather than a military alliance or sole economic focus.

2. India decided to opt out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations primarily due to concerns about:

   • (a) Its focus on non-economic pillars like security cooperation.
   • (b) The inclusion of countries with whom India has no diplomatic ties.
   • (c) The potential for a surge in imports, particularly from China, impacting domestic industries.
   • (d) Its emphasis on a common currency union.

   Explanation: India's primary reasons for opting out of RCEP were concerns over its large trade deficit with China, the potential for a flood of cheap Chinese imports, and the impact on its sensitive domestic sectors.

1. "India's Act East Policy, a cornerstone of its foreign policy, has successfully transcended its initial economic focus to encompass strategic, cultural, and people-to-people engagements. Discuss how this policy, coupled with India's Indo-Pacific vision, contributes to regional stability and counter-balancing efforts in the changing geopolitical landscape." (15 Marks)

   Key Points/Structure:

   • Introduction: Define Act East Policy (AEP) as an upgrade from Look East, broadening its scope. Introduce its link to India's Indo-Pacific vision.
   • Evolution and Comprehensive Scope of AEP: From purely economic to "4 Cs": Connectivity, Commerce, Culture, Capacity Building. Emphasize land and maritime connectivity, people-to-people ties.
   • Synergy with India's Indo-Pacific Vision: IPOI (Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative), Shared Principles (UNCLOS, FON, peaceful resolution).
   • Contribution to Regional Stability and Counter-balancing Efforts: Economic Integration, Strategic Balancing (alternative democratic partner), Maritime Security (joint exercises, HADR), Multilateral Engagement (ASEAN-led forums, Quad), Capacity Building.
   • Conclusion: AEP integrated with IPOI is a comprehensive and strategic endeavor, fostering stable, prosperous, rules-based regional order, contributing to India's influence and providing balancing force.

2. "The South China Sea (SCS) dispute is a complex maritime flashpoint with significant geopolitical implications for global trade and regional stability. Examine India's nuanced approach to the SCS dispute, particularly concerning its strategic interests and adherence to international law." (20 Marks)

   Key Points/Structure:

   • Introduction: Describe SCS as contested region (9-dash line, overlapping claims), its global significance (SLOCs, resources).
   • Key Aspects of the Dispute: China's Assertive Claims (island building, militarization), Economic Significance, Legal Framework (UNCLOS, 2016 PCA ruling).
   • India's Nuanced Approach: Support for FON & Overflight, Adherence to UNCLOS, Peaceful Resolution, Avoidance of Taking Sides on Sovereignty Claims, Oil Exploration Interests (with Vietnam), Maritime Diplomacy.
   • Strategic Interests for India: Economic (secure SLOCs), Geopolitical (countering China), Rules-Based Order (upholding int'l law), Act East Policy (ties with ASEAN claimants).
   • Challenges: Balancing ties with China, avoiding direct confrontation.
   • Conclusion: India's approach is a delicate balancing act, driven by commitment to rules-based order, strategic/economic interests, and regional stability. Firm stance on FON/UNCLOS implicitly challenges China.