Tag: Indo-Pacific

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Geopolitics Of The Indo-Pacific

Title : Sydney: Indian Navy take part in the 27th edition of Exercise MALABAR Caption : Sydney: Indian Navy's indigenously built Destroyer INS Kolkata, Frigate, INS Sahyadri & P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft take part in the 27th edition of Exercise MALABAR with the navies of United States, Australia, and Japan on the East Coast of Australia off Sydney, on Tuesday August 22, 2023. (Photo: IANS/Twitter/@indiannavy)

It is easy to understand why the Indo-Pacific is important for democratic countries which believe in keeping sealines of communication open and advocate a rules-based maritime order, writes Dr Mohan Kumar

Way back in 1890, Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the president of the United States Naval War College, published The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660–1783, a revolutionary analysis of the importance of naval power as a factor in the rise of the British Empire. Mahan argued that British control of the seas, combined with a corresponding decline in the naval strength of its major European rivals, paved the way for Great Britain’s emergence as the world’s dominant military, political, and economic power. Mahan and some leading American politicians believed that these lessons could be applied to U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the quest to expand U.S. markets overseas.

The United States of America considers itself a maritime power and more recently, as an Indo-Pacific nation. The concept of Indo-pacific was first enunciated by the late Japanese leader Shinzo Abe in August 2007.  In a speech to the Indian Parliament, he said presciently: “We are now at a point at which the Confluence of the Two Seas is coming into being. The Pacific and the Indian Oceans are now bringing about a dynamic coupling as seas of freedom and of prosperity.”

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Building on the informal cooperation between US, Japan, India and Australia during the Tsunami that hit Asia in 2004, a quadrilateral security dialogue (hereinafter referred to as Quad) was suggested by the late Japanese leader Shinzo Abe in 2007. But by 2008, the initial enthusiasm wore off with both Australia and India at various times expressing reluctance. It took until March 2018 for the Quad to really be institutionalised. Geopolitics was evident when in one of the first reactions to this renewed initiative, the Chinese Foreign Minister then (and now) Wang Yi said it was a “headline grabbing” idea which will “dissipate like sea foam”. Well, the Quad is here to stay and far from dissipating like sea foam has gone from strength to strength, much to the angst of China. More on this later.

It is easy to understand why the Indo-Pacific is important for democratic countries which believe in keeping sealines of communication open and advocate a rules-based maritime order. The region is home to more than half the world’s population, and it accounts for 60 percent of global GDP as well as two-thirds of global economic growth. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Japanese leader Abe’s genius lay in enunciating an integral view of both the Indian and Pacific Oceans by arguing that maritime security is indivisible and inalienable. Of course, for the United States of America, Australia and Japan the Pacific Ocean is the world’s largest and deepest ocean covering more than 30 per cent of the Earth’s surface. The sheer economic importance of this in the form of minerals, oil & gas, fishing grounds etc cannot be overstated. It also matters because of climate and food security. Equally, from a geopolitical perspective, China wants the United States of America out of the Pacific so it can call the shots there. China views the US as an extraneous power which has no business being in the Pacific, which it considers as its own backyard. The US, on the other hand, considers itself as an Indo-Pacific power and recognises the region as vital to its security and prosperity. The United States has expressed determination to strengthen its long-term position in and commitment to the Indo-Pacific. With this in mind, the United States of America intends to focus on every corner of the region, from Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia to South Asia and Oceania, including the Pacific Islands. In a quickly changing strategic landscape, the United States of America believes its interests can only be advanced if it firmly anchors itself in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the region  alongside its closest allies and partners.

India deciding to join and work with Quad countries is a strategic move of great import. It can even be described as the most important geopolitical strategy of India’s since the end of cold war. The reason for this important move must first and foremost be traced to China’s aggressive designs in the region. China believes it is entitled to a permanent maritime presence in the Indian Ocean. This is of recent vintage dating back to 2008. China believes while it is called “Indian Ocean” it is certainly not India’s Ocean! However, it does not admit of the same logic when it comes to South China or East China Sea; it can be argued equally that this is not China’s Sea after all! For India, there is a twin challenge posed by China: one which is maritime and the other which is continental. India cannot allow either the Indian Ocean or the Himalayas to be dominated by China. India knows that in the Himalayas, it must bear the cross all by itself. In the Indian ocean however, India is enlisting help from its partners and friends and has decided on a series of plurilateral or mini-lateral groupings to counter China. This is based on the sober assessment of a significant power differential between China and India.

Indian Navy’s indigenously built warship INS Sahyadri, mission deployed in Indo-Pacific, participating in the trilateral Maritime Partnership Exercise with the ships and aircraft from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Indonesian Navy from 20-21 Sep 2023. (ANI Photo)

India is aware that the US and its Western allies are more focused on the Pacific theatre. This has led India to undertake several initiatives of its own in the Indian Ocean. Some of these are: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium which seeks to enhance maritime cooperation among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean region; SAGAR or security and growth for all in region; Colombo Security Conclave involving India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius; and the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region which enhances efforts to combat maritime security threats.  Finally, India is a part of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue initiative that aims to offer an integrated and cost-effective awareness to its members so they can fully monitor the waters on their shores.

All this is to say that, geopolitics will continue to drive strategy of different countries in the all-important Indo-Pacific region.

(Dr Mohan Kumar is a former Indian Ambassador to France and presently Dean/Professor at O.P. Jindal Global University)

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China, Japan spar over former’s actions in Indo-Pacific

The Bluebook reportedly criticises China’s actions in the South China Sea and its efforts to alter the status quo in the East and South China Sea…reports Asian Lite News

China is challenging Japan’s recent evaluation of the threat posed to the Indo-Pacific region by Beijing, dismissing it as a hyped-up threat and a false accusation, Voice of America reported.

According to Japanese media reports and the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s annual Diplomatic Bluebook (an annual report on Japan’s foreign policy and international diplomacy published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan), released on Tuesday, China’s military activities are described as the “greatest strategic challenge.”

However, an official English version of the report has not been made public, as per Voice of America.

The Bluebook reportedly criticises China’s actions in the South China Sea and its efforts to alter the status quo in the East and South China Sea.

Following this, Japanese media says that for the first time since 2019, Japan seeks to build “a mutually beneficial relationship” with China “based on common strategic interests.”

According to Voice of America, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian rebuffed Japan’s criticisms during a news briefing on Tuesday. Lin stated, “Japan has resorted to the same old false accusations against China and hype of the ‘China threat’ in its 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook.”

Further, he affirmed, “We urge Japan to change its wrong course of action, stop stoking bloc confrontation, truly commit itself to advancing a strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China and work to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era.”

Director of the Japan Programme at the Washington-based Stimson Centre, Yuki Tatsumi, said, “Japan’s concerns about Chinese behaviour, both military and paramilitary, have been intensified for the last few years due to the acceleration of Beijing’s aggressive behaviour in the East and South China Sea.”

“In addition, Tokyo has been put on alert about Beijing’s increasingly hostile and aggressive rhetoric and behaviour towards Taiwan.” she added.

According to a Thursday report by The Japan Times citing unnamed Japanese officials., Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin could meet in early May in Hawaii.

According to the report, Kihara and Austin would discuss setting up a proposed allied command and control structure and a body to identify the kinds of weapons the two countries will develop and produce together.

These plans were announced on April 10 at a bilateral summit in Washington.

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) announced on Tuesday that it will conduct a naval deployment including six surface ships, submarines, and two air units starting May 3 to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The deployment includes visits to more than a dozen countries, including the U.S., the Philippines, India, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, the Marshall Islands, Fiji and Palau. It is meant “to strengthen cooperation with the allied partner navies through conducting exercises,” said JMSDF.

Daniel Sneider, lecturer in international policy and East Asia Studies at Stanford University, said even as Tokyo is building its defences and is concerned about Beijing’s assertiveness and especially its relations with Moscow, its mention in the Diplomatic Bluebook of wanting to build relations with Beijing reflects Tokyo’s balanced approach towards China.

“The Bluebook reflects a balance between, on one hand, some degree of warning the Chinese off doing things that disrupt the order” in the region “and, on the other hand, making it clear that Japan really is not interested in some type of full-scale confrontation with China,” including economic warfare, said Sneider.

As to China, it tends to see “any attempts on the part of the Koreans and the Japanese to engage and improve relations as a sign of weakness,” continued Sneider.

China, Japan and South Korea plan to hold trilateral talks in May for the first time since 2019. They will meet in Seoul ahead of a Washington-Seoul-Tokyo trilateral summit expected in July. (ANI)

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U.S. Double-Standard on Terror Undermines Indo-Pacific Security

Senior US officials are blissfully unconcerned about acts of terror and murder in India by networks which Pannun was known to be in frequent contact with, thereby exhibiting the syndrome of ‘My terrorist is a good terrorist’, writes Prof. Madhav Das Nalapat

Concerns over the possibility of deportation of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, a resident of Delhi—who was arrested on 30 June 2023 by security officials in the Czech Republic—to the United States have increased. This is after unconfirmed reports emerged claiming that he was likely working for a “rogue” official of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India’s external intelligence agency. Such a deportation would have an immediate negative impact on existing public support for strong India-US ties.

It would indicate that the Czechs have buckled under US pressure to commit what, in effect, is an act of Iraq-Afghanistan style “rendition”. Such an attempt at forced transfer to the US is similar to that sought by the “leader of the free world” from the UK government in the matter of the battered and belaboured Australian truth teller, Julian Assange. Coincidentally, Gupta was arrested by the Czechs, apparently on the orders of officials in the United States, just days after Ravi Sinha was appointed as the new R&AW chief in place of Samant Kumar Goyal on 19 June 2023. Sinha is known for his efficiency and conscientious work ethic.

Earlier last week, unconfirmed media reports had alleged that the government had found that “rogue” operatives were involved in a plot to assassinate a New York-based “shadow war” operative, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is a member of the proscribed Sikhs for Justice, SFJ, a Pakistan-linked organisation active in the facilitation of violent operations and vicious propaganda against India, actions that are designed to strain ties between the world’s two biggest democracies.

Pannun holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. It needs mention that neither the US nor Canada seems to have any objection to Pannun’s open support to groups indulging in acts of terror and murder in India, but has instead acted on the false narrative peddled by the Sino-Pakistan nexus that he was a “human rights” warrior. As a consequence, the two governments in effect are backing the “rights” of terrorists to commit acts of murder and violence against innocent citizens in another democracy.

TERROR SANCTUARIES: U.S., UK, CANADA

The US, Canada, Australia and the UK have for long been sanctuaries for several such elements, but growing public awareness of their terror-related activities is resulting in a change of stance towards them, especially in Australia. Only Canada, under a government in which the influence of the CCP is known to be overwhelming, has thus far not just provided safe haven but has even acted as an advocate of such facilitators and practitioners of the use of violence and terror in order to break up and destabilise India.

New Delhi had constituted an inquiry panel, the members of which were not made public, after the Joe Biden administration approached it last year with allegations that India’s intelligence agency was trying to assassinate Pannun as part of a larger plot of eliminating Khalistani operatives active in the US and Canada. As per such individuals in Washington, they were aware of the alleged plot since May 2023. It needs to be emphasised that such a charge remains uncorroborated, although the possibility of some operatives going rogue and conducting unauthorised operations cannot be ruled out. Such is a phenomenon that is common to several countries. What is extraordinary is the manner in which the nature of Pannun’s activities and sources of funding have apparently remained unexamined by security agencies in Canada and the US.

The constitution of the said committee was announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in the Rajya Sabha in December 2023. Media reports further claimed that the findings of the inquiry committee had been conveyed to the Biden administration, while adding that the official in question was no longer a part of R&AW. Interestingly, what purported to be the findings of the said report were leaked to the media and revealed to the public on the same day when, during a Congressional hearing, a senior US official stated that the alleged assassination attempt against known ISI-linked extremist backer Pannun was a “serious issue” between the United States and India.

He had added that Washington had raised it at the highest levels with India while “asking India to work quickly and transparently to make sure justice is done”. The senior US official was blissfully unconcerned about acts of terror and murder in India by networks which Pannun was known to be in frequent contact with, thereby exhibiting the syndrome of “My terrorist is a good terrorist”.

As a consequence of such a policy, several extremist elements who actively commit acts of terror in India are operating without hindrance in countries that claim to be security allies of New Delhi. To this may be added that while the US, the UK and the EU wax indignant and eloquent about Russia’s infringement of the sovereign territory of Ukraine, they continue to maintain radio silence over the PRC’s illegal occupation and militarisation of practically the entirety of the South China Sea, even though in international law, Beijing has no right to do so. Nor have such “friends of India” in the US made any protest over the illegal occupation of Indian territory by the PRC since the 1950s.

Clearly, some countries have, in their view, more right to violate sovereign territory than others. And that the yardstick applied to a European power such as Ukraine should be entirely different from that applied to India and ASEAN. Such a transparent double standard has significantly impacted goodwill for the Atlantic Alliance within the Global South, a group whose cause has been championed by India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PRAGUE PRESSURED BY WASHINGTON

Nikhil Gupta, who was arrested in Prague on the directions of the Biden government, was ordered to be extradited to the US on 23 November 2023 by a Prague lower court, an order which was then confirmed by the high court on 8 January 2024. However, the same was postponed when a three-bench judge of the Constitutional Court at Prague on 30 January, comprising Judge Vojtecha Simicka, Judge Lucie Dolanske and Judge Tomase Lichovnika, stayed his extradition ordered by the Czech high court. It remains to be seen whether US pressure will cause the Czechs to cave in.

Gupta had pointed to violations of his fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 7(2), Article 8 and Article 36(1) and (3) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, apart from Article 3, Article 5 and Article 6(1) of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and Article 3 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to challenge his extradition. Of course, as in the Assange case, such rights are, in practice, kept in abeyance where countries that practise a double standard on such issues is concerned.

In his defence to the Czech Constitution court, the 53-year-old Gupta had claimed that his extradition to the United States of America was inadmissible, as the nature of the act alleged against him had not been sufficiently assessed. The court, while postponing his extradition, said that the extradition of Gupta to America would be an irreversible step and the factual effects of it could not be reversed. The impact of such an extradition on public support for strong India-US ties is of course clear, as is the fact that the PRC in particular has long been unhappy at the warming of ties between the US and India, especially after Prime Minister Modi took office in 2014.

U.S. SEEKS RENDITION OF NIKHIL GUPTA

Media reports claiming that Gupta was acting on the advice and directions of a “rogue” officer appear designed to make it more difficult for Gupta to succeed in his quest to avoid extradition to a country that is known as the Execution Capital of the world. Extraditing Gupta to the US would flout every convention of international law, and would amount to a repeat by the Biden administration of the illegal “renditions” carried out in Iraq during the Bush-Cheney period in the US. In this case, that would involve the forced rendition of a citizen of a friendly country that has been in the forefront of fighting terror operations, and which under international right has every right to do so.

In a recent case involving eight Indians who were arrested by the Qatar police, the Government of India, from the moment the incident came to its notice, made it clear that it was going to provide all needed support to them so that they can be brought back. Emir Al Thani of Qatar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were the prime movers behind such a statesmanlike decision by the Emirate of Qatar, a decision that has immensely strengthened goodwill for Qatar in India.

The Sunday Guardian’s email to the Ministry of External Affairs seeking its response on the details of the inquiry committee on the basis of which the entire operation has been attributed to a “rogue” officer, has not elicited any response thus far. Similarly, close family members of Nikhil Gupta too did not respond to media reports about a “rogue” officer, which reports are likely to come as a massive setback for them. His Prague-based lawyer too did not respond to this newspaper’s queries. Official sources in the security apparatus too did not respond to the developments.

An official of the Czech Constitution Court told this newspaper that the Constitution court (or the Supreme Court), whose decision is final, makes its decisions without a public hearing, and that the decision is shared publicly only if it finds that the petitioner’s fundamental rights have been violated. That clearly seems to be the case.

Surprisingly, there has been no response about such a violation of rights by EU representatives who speak endlessly about human rights. Their silence may be the consequence of US pressure, given the alacrity with which the Biden administration has in effect backed Pannun and his external handlers in continuing their Gray Zone warfare against India. All this despite his record of actions designed to split India and throw the country into violence and chaos.

CHINA BENEFICIARY OF U.S. STANCE

It needs to be kept in mind that India has as much right as the US to ensure that its citizens are protected from acts of terror, and that countries which harbour sympathisers and facilitators of terror networks ought not to be acting in a way that reveals a double standard where fighting terror is concerned. The Gupta saga, should it go the way the Sino-Wahhabi alliance and its covert operatives in some NATO member states are working towards, may leave a long-lasting mark on India-US relations to the benefit of China.

The CCP is known to have extensive and active networks in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. Rather than support India when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made false accusations against a government elected by more votes than any other democracy, the US State Department in particular sought to justify US administration indifference to the security concerns of India. This was done through name calling and innuendo in a manner that must be music to the ears of those who seek to torpedo India-US ties, especially where the security of the Indo-Pacific and the war on terror are concerned.

As shown by its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Narendra Modi government is committed to resisting external pressure aimed at dilute its commitment towards ensuring the security not just of India but the Indo-Pacific. Judging by events taking place, securing the Indo-Pacific and fighting terror networks appear to be a greater priority for Delhi than for Washington, much to the glee of the PRC and its partners who are collectively engaged in kinetic and asymmetric warfare waging against the democracies fronting the Indo-Pacific.

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Jaishankar’s Perth Talks Focus on Indo-Pacific, West Asia

Both leaders expressed delight at the opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relationship….reports Asian Lite News

On the sidelines of the 7th Indian Ocean Conference, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart, Senator Penny Wong, held discussions in Perth today on a spectrum of global issues, including the Indo-Pacific and the situation in West Asia.

The meeting commenced with a warm exchange between EAM Jaishankar and FM Wong. Both leaders expressed delight at the opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

The talks primarily centered around the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Australia. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in various domains, with a particular focus on matters related to the Indian Ocean region.

EAM Jaishankar and Senator Wong discussed the Indo-Pacific region, acknowledging the strategic importance it holds. The leaders explored avenues for collaborative efforts to address shared challenges and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The situation in West Asia also featured prominently in the discussions.

“Delighted to meet FM @SenatorWong of Australia in Perth today as we gather for the 7th Indian Ocean Conference. Good exchange on our comprehensive strategic partnership and convergence on matters related to the Indian Ocean. Also discussed the Indo-Pacific, situation in West Asia and other regional and global topics,” said EAM Jaishankar in a post on X.

Notably, Jaishankar will address the two-day 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth that gets underway today with the theme “Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean.”

The Indian Ocean Conference is a flagship consultative forum for countries in the Indian Ocean Region, organised annually by the Ministry of External Affairs, in association with the India Foundation.

The conference will be held in association with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia, along with the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, and the Perth-US Asia Centre in Australia.

According to a Ministry of External Affairs press release, “The theme of this edition of the conference is Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean.”

This significant gathering, organised annually by the Ministry of External Affairs in association with the India Foundation, marks a collaborative effort with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia, the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, and the Perth-US Asia Centre in Australia.

The 7th Indian Ocean Conference brings together distinguished leaders and delegates to deliberate on crucial regional issues.

The event will witness participation from delegations led by ministers from over 22 countries, senior officials from 16 countries, and six multilateral organisations. Furthermore, over 400 social and corporate leaders, policy practitioners, scholars, professionals, and media personnel from about 40 countries actively engaged in the Conference.

Since its inception in 2016 in Singapore, the Indian Ocean Conference has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among nations and principal maritime partners in the region. Through its platform, the Conference endeavours to facilitate discourse on the prospects of regional cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

The 7th Indian Ocean Conference stands as a testament to the collective commitment towards enhancing stability and sustainability across the Indian Ocean Region. (ANI)

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‘ASEAN Keen On Indo-Pacific Collaboration’

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment made the statement during the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) in Jakarta…reports Asian Lite News

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is ready to collaborate with all partners in the Indo-Pacific region by upholding the principle of equality, according to Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment.

He made the statement at the closing of the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) in Jakarta on Wednesday, ANTARA news agency reported.

“Developing countries are not second-class countries. They also have the right to survive,” he said.

The minister further noted that maintaining sovereignty and mutually beneficial ties, as well as maintaining peace and stability, while achieving a profitable economy and social justice, will be essential cooperation tasks in the region.

He said he hoped that the forum had provided greater understanding about ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific and that the attendees would take good memories to their home countries.

The AIPF, which was held on September 5 and 6, 2023, was part of the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The forum was a flagship event organized by Indonesia as part of its ASEAN chairmanship in 2023, it was reported.

It served as a platform for the public and the private sector to share, engage, and collaborate inclusively in unlocking the potential of the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific regions and driving their economic growth.

The AIPF was attended by around 2 thousand participants from 51 countries. It was expected to open up further opportunities and build more robust connectivity between ASEAN and Indo-Pacific countries.

The Indo-Pacific accounts for more than 60 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP) and around half of global trade. It also functions as an essential economic center that encourages trade, investment and innovation.

Meanwhile, located at the heart of the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN is ready to become the hub of economic activities in the coming decades, in line with the theme of Indonesia’s 2023 ASEAN chairmanship, “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, it was reported.

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Sri Lanka Fully Aware Of India’s Security Concerns: Envoy

Fully Aware Of The Security Concerns Of India, Says Sri Lanka's High Commissioner To India

Sri Lankan envoy has assured that the country pays a great deal of attention towards the evolving scenarios in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda has reiterated that the island country is fully aware of the security concerns of India and assured that it pays a great deal of attention towards the evolving scenarios in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific.

Moragoda said this on August 30 while describing about the regional dynamics and developments in the Indian Ocean at a lecture on topic ‘India-Sri Lanka Relations: Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity’ at the Ananta Centre, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry in Colombo said in a statement.

During his address, High Commissioner Moragoda elaborated on the broad contours that define the unique characteristics of the past and present dynamics of India-Sri Lanka relationship, and the way forward.

The Foreign Ministry said that the High Commissioner explained as to how the relationship between the two nations has grown from a transactional perspective to a special relationship in recent years.

He said the current economic stabilisation efforts underway in Sri Lanka, and emphasised that the two nations would heavily focus on connectivity and investment founded on a promising economic integration road-map that was agreed upon during the recent visit of the Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Moragoda also underscored the importance of driving the five key facets mapped in the ‘India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision’ document, and highlighted that they would remain as the key enablers in elevating the existing relationship into a new level.

In July, during the first visit to India after assuming office as President, Wickremesinghe who had talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed ‘India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision’ which included a series of agreements on energy, trade and connectivity projects.

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US, Japan, S. Korea unite against Chinese aggression

After the first-ever trilateral summit between the US, Japan and South Korea, a joint statement was released titled ‘The Spirit of Camp David’ expressing support for their collective alliance.

United States, Japan and South Korea, in a joint statement on Friday, condemned the “dangerous and aggressive behaviour” by China and expressed stern opposition against any attempt to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific.

After the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries held in the US, a joint statement was released titled ‘The Spirit of Camp David’ expressing support for their collective alliance.

“Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States are determined to align our collective efforts because we believe our trilateral partnership advances the security and prosperity of all our people, the region, and the world,” the statement read.

The three nations expressed commitment to expanding cooperation trilaterally and raising shared ambition to a new horizon across domains and across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

“We will strengthen our economies, provide resilience and prosperity, support the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and bolster regional and global peace and security, especially as current and incoming members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). We will strengthen our coordination on promoting democracy and protecting human rights. And we will enhance strategic coordination between the US-Japan and US-ROK alliances and bring our trilateral security cooperation to new heights,” the joint statement read.

Additionally, the joint declaration by US, Japan and South Korea expressed shared concerns over Chinese actions in supporting unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, as well as their strong opposition to any unilateral actions by Beijing aimed at changing the existing situation in the Indo-Pacific waters.

“We share concerns about actions inconsistent with the rules-based international order, which undermine regional peace and prosperity. Recalling the publicly announced position of each of our countries regarding the dangerous and aggressive behaviour supporting unlawful maritime claims that we have recently witnessed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the South China Sea, we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific,” the statement read.

They also opposed the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and coercive activities, and further expressed concern about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

The three countries also reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing that the basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged, and they called for peaceful resolutions to cross-Strait matters.

“We reiterate our firm commitment to international law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The July 2016 award in the South China Sea arbitration sets out the legal basis for the peaceful resolution of maritime conflicts between the parties to that proceeding. We reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community. There is no change in our basic positions on Taiwan, and we call for a peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues,” the joint statement added.

They also announced holding the first trilateral meeting between the finance ministers and launching a new commerce and industry ministers track that will meet annually. An annual Trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue will also be launched to coordinate the implementation of Indo-Pacific approaches and to continually identify new areas for common action.

Expressing support for the ASEAN-led regional architecture, the three countries affirmed commitment to working closely with ASEAN partners to support robust implementation and mainstreaming of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

US, Japan and South Korea also reaffirmed the commitment towards “complete denuclearization” by North Korea in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions and urged Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“Furthermore, we reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions and urge the DPRK to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. We call on all UN Member States to fully implement all relevant UNSC resolutions. We strongly condemn the DPRK’s unprecedented number of ballistic missile launches, including multiple intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches and conventional military actions that pose a grave threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond,” the statement read.

The three countries added that in addition to the security partnership, they will also maintain focus on building robust cooperation in the economic security and technology spheres.

“We are fully committed to continuing to eliminate barriers to economic participation and build diverse, accessible, and inclusive economies in which all our people—including women and marginalized groups—can succeed. We will work to further strengthen our people-to-people ties, including among our young people and students,” the joint statement further read.

They also stated that the trilateral summit marks a “new chapter” in their relationship and the three countries depart from Camp David with a “shared resolve and optimism for the future”.

“Today, we declare that a new chapter in our trilateral relationship has begun. We are aligned in our vision; undaunted in the face of our era’s greatest challenges; and, most of all, united in our belief that Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States can meet those challenges together, now and in the future,” the statement added. (ANI)

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India-US ties key for peace in Indo-Pacific

Congressman Ferguson said India-US partnership has made significant progress in the last few years and New Delhi continues to be a strategic trading partner…reports Asian Lite News

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, Congressman from Georgia, Drew Ferguson, has emphasised that the India-US ties are important for “peace, prosperity and stability around the globe, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

PM Modi is set to travel to the US on an official visit from June 21 to 25. He will be hosted by President Joe Biden at the White House. The Indian Embassy in the US released a video of Congressman Ferguson articulating his views on PM Modi’s historic state visit.

“The India-US partnership is crucial for fostering peace, prosperity and stability around the globe, especially in the Indo-Pacific region — Rep. Drew Ferguson,” read a post on the official Twitter handle of the Indian embassy in the US.

“I wanted to take a moment to recognise Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Washington, DC. The relationship between the United States and India is strategic and global. It’s a partnership guided by strong political will on both sides. It’s built on the shared values of democracy, freedom, and respect for the real with law,” the Congressman said in his short video address.

He added, “This partnership is crucial for fostering peace, prosperity and stability around the globe, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. In 2022, India celebrated 75 years of independence and marked the anniversary of the United States-India diplomatic relations.”

Ferguson stated further that the India-US partnership has made significant progress in the last few years and New Delhi continues to be a strategic trading partner for the latter.

“As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade policy, I look forward to continuing to work on growing this important global partnership. Thank you to Prime Minister Modi for your continued leadership, and I hope you have a productive visit,” the Congressman stated in his video address.

Top lawmakers in the United States had earlier invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the US Congress when he visits Washington DC on June 22, a rare opportunity granted only to the country’s closest allies.

Many political leaders in the US had earlier voiced their excitement around PM Modi’s state visit while lauding the burgeoning bilateral ties between the two countries.

US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said the US was looking forward to PM Modi’s upcoming address to the Congress.

“The Congress will look forward to the state address that he will make in the United States Congress. That will be both houses of Congress. That’s a very important position to be in. We will be attentive,” Lee told ANI earlier.

Dr Bharat Barai, a popular community leader and organiser of Prime Minister Modi’s event at the Ronald Reagan Center, was effusive in his praise for the latter, calling him the “most popular public figure and leader in the world, not just in India”.

“PM Modi is the most popular public figure, and leader in the world, not just in India. The Prime Minister is extremely popular. He’s perceived as a visionary leader for India who is working tirelessly for the growth of India,” Barai said earlier.

US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to the US will serve as an opportunity to enhance the commercial and strategic technology partnerships between the two nations. She specifically mentioned sectors such as defence, semiconductors, and clean energy as areas of focus.

PM Modi will be the first Indian premier to address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress twice.

Globally, as a head of government, PM Modi is second only after Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to address a joint House of the US Congress more than once. The Israeli PM has done it thrice.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries had earlier said in a message to PM Modi, “During your address, you will have the opportunity to share your vision for India’s future and speak to the global challenges both our countries face.”

PM Modi will visit the US from June 22-25 at the invitation of President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. (ANI)

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Jaishankar, Lord Ahmad discuss FTA, Indo-Pacific

UK government said strengthening the relationship with India is a key pillar of the UK’s long-term foreign policy…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held a meeting with Minister of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs Lord Tariq Ahmad and discussed a range of issues including Free Trade Agreement, Indo-Pacific and G20.

“Met with UK MOS Lord @tariqahmadbt today in New Delhi. Discussed a broad range of issues, from FTA and South Asia to Indo-Pacific and G20. Underlined the obligation to ensure security of our diplomatic missions and prevent misuse of democratic freedoms,” Jaishankar said in a tweet. UK and India are working towards a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The ninth round of negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the UK was held from April 24 to 28.

Lord Tariq Ahmad, who is Minister of State for Foreign Commonwealth & Development Affairs (South Asia, MEastNAfrica, UN, Human Rights) PM’s Special Envoy for Preventing Sexual Violence, landed in India on May 27. After his arrival in India, he travelled to Jodhpur.

“…I arrived in Jodhpur, my maternal ancestral home. 76 years after my mother bid farewell to the Blue City I say ‘Salaam Jodhpur- Namaste Rajasthan’,” he said in a tweet.

“Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort is steeped in a rich and diverse history. Pleasure touring the fort today to learn more about its architecture, restoration and conservation work,” he added.

The UK government had said that focus of Lord Tariq Ahmad’s visit on science, technology and innovation emphasises the UK’s commitment to deepening partnerships in these areas across the globe – evidenced by the recent announcement of a new Tech Envoy to the Indo-Pacific.

“Strengthening the UK-India relationship is a key pillar of the UK’s long-term foreign policy, as part of its enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific set out in the Integrated Review Refresh,” it said.

UK and India are working towards a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The ninth round of negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the UK was held from April 24 to 28.

The British High Commission in India in a statement said, “An ambitious, balanced FTA would boost our current trading relationship, worth £36 billion in 2022. ” Round nine of negotiations for a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of India

“A trade deal with India supports the government’s growth strategy to take advantage of the UK’s status as an independent trading nation, creating new trade and investment opportunities and championing free trade,” the British High Commission in India said in a statement.

In the statement, Lord Ahmad called India and UK “trusted partners.” He said that India and UK are deepening collaboration on science and technology.

“The UK and India are trusted partners united by the unique living bridge that closely connects our countries and people,” Lord Ahmad said in a statement.

“Building on the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations, we are deepening our collaboration on science and technology, bringing new innovations to both our nations,” he added.

Lord Ahmad meets Shringla

Lord Ahmad, who is on a 5-day visit to India, met the former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla in Delhi on Monday.

Apart from the UK Minister, the former Foreign Secretary also had a brief interaction with British deputy high commissioner Christina Scott. “A great pleasure to meet Lord @tariqahmadbt, UK Minister in FCO and @CScottFCDO, UK Deputy High Commissioner @UKinIndia,” Shringla said, taking to Twitter.

During his visit, Lord Ahmad will travel to Hyderabad. He will highlight science and tech innovations with trips to T-Hub and T-Works, the technology start-up incubator and prototyping facility which are part of the world’s largest innovation campus, and space launch vehicle company Skyroot.

Lord Ahmad will visit the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology and hold discussions on the further potential for science and technology collaboration with Indian alumni of Chevening, the UK’s flagship international scholarship programme.

Christina Scott, Acting British High Commissioner to India in the statement said, “The UK and India enjoy an invaluable partnership. As we deliver the UK-India Roadmap 2030, we are deepening and accelerating our collaboration on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence. “

Scott further said, “With India’s Presidency of the G20, we have an opportunity also for the UK and India to work together to shape and deliver solutions to global problems.” Notably, India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1. (ANI)

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Bangladesh key for peace in the Indo-Pacific

Indian Ocean, according to a analyst, is the “epicenter of Indo-Pacific” and any policy regarding the Indo-Pacific will necessarily include the Indian Ocean because it provides opportunities for outreach to Africa on one hand and South East Asia on the other, thereby facilitating the integration of the Indo-Pacific, writes Darakhsha Qamar

The 6th Indian Ocean Conference took place on the 12th and 13th May in Dhaka, Bangladesh. As the current chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Bangladesh hosted the event and Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, inaugurated it.

The Conference was started in 2016- having being previously hosted in countries like Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam- and has since then become an important platform for all the countries in the Indian Ocean Region to come together, consult and cooperate with one another to ensure peace, prosperity and stability in the region. In fact, it has become instrumental in the implementation of India’s Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative. The theme of the conference this year was “Peace, Prosperity and Partnership for a Resilient Future,” and it was attended by guests from 25 countries.

The strategic importance of the Indian Ocean cannot be stressed upon enough.  Its trade routes have been facilitating the flow of goods, people and ideas between the areas of Asia- pacific and North Atlantic since ancient times. It retains its position of eminence today as an important trade route that has a major portion of the world’s crude oil supply passing through it. The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is also rich in mineral resources as well as a massive drainage basin that is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world as well as a large chunk of the world’s population. This region is brimful of potential and greater regional integration can transform this region, turning it into a thriving economic hub.

It is, however, this very inability to cooperate effectively with each other as well as the inability to put broader regional and global interests before narrow national interests, that has resulted in the IOR facing security threats from non-state actors such as smugglers, pirates and terrorists.

The Indian Ocean of course has great strategic significance for India, which is the most populous state and one of the biggest powers in the IOR. India has 7500 Km of its coastline in the Indian Ocean and is dependent on it for energy imports through the Indian Ocean route, which is why India has a major stake in the security and development of the IOR. India also realizes that it cannot achieve this vision of a secure and stable Indian Ocean on its own and has been seeking to enhance cooperation and connectivity amongst the states in the region.

In fact, the SAGAR initiative, which serves as India’s policy towards the Indian Ocean, was introduced, just like the Indian Ocean Conference, in 2016, and aims at ensuring the maritime security of the states of the IOR. At the same time, it also promoted economic partnerships as well as collaboration in matters of tourism, infrastructural development and laying the groundwork for sustainable development in the region.

The Indian Ocean Conference thus has become a major facilitator of India’s ambitions regarding the IOR. This was evident during India’s external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar’s keynote address at the conference, where he stressed on the need for enhanced connectivity in the region and the restoration of ancient links between the countries of the region that had been disrupted by imperialism. He talked about the importance of India developing land connectivity with South East Asia and multi-modal connectivity with the Gulf and Central Asian countries. He also emphasised that India is prioritizing connectivity with ASEAN, as that, in his words, “will be a game changer.” Further on in the speech, he said that ensuring maritime security is a shared responsibility and it would require all the countries in the region to exchange information and cooperate with one another for coastal surveillance and collaborating on Maritime domain awareness (MDA).

Most importantly however, Jaishankar stressed on the significance of the Indian Ocean as a central component of the Indo-Pacific region and therefore the challenges being faced by IOR countries cannot be undermined and needs to be dealt with properly, if the vision of a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific is to become a reality. This was reiterated by author, leading South Asian strategic analyst and founder of StratNews Global, Nitin Gokhale, who was a guest at the 2 day conference in Dhaka.

Gokhale told India Narrative that the Indian Ocean is the “epicenter of Indo-Pacific” and any policy regarding the Indo-Pacific will necessarily include the Indian Ocean because it provides opportunities for outreach to Africa on one hand and South East Asia on the other, thereby facilitating the integration of the Indo-Pacific. Further, speaking on the significance of Bangladesh hosting the event, and it’s importance in the overall Indo-pacific, Gokhale said that considering the fact that Bangladesh is “the epicenter of the epicenter (the Indian Ocean), it is but natural that Bangladesh should host the Indian Ocean Conference.”

He also pointed out that having released its Indo-Pacific Outlook last month, Bangladesh has sought to take center stage in supporting a peaceful and inclusive Indo-Pacific for all and can in fact be instrumental for outreach to the pacific as well as the Indian Ocean.

BBIN and South Asian railway network

The Indian railways recently completed the survey for the feasibility of a railway line connecting Kokrajhar in Assam, India, to Gelephu in Bhutan. During the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s  visit to India, both the countries engaged in talks where they sought to prioritise enhancing connectivity between the two countries, mainly by expediting the completion of the above mentioned rail link. The first stage of the primary engineering work is reportedly complete and there all already talks to connect other regions through the railway network, such as Samtse, Phuentsholing, Nganglam and Samdrupjongkhar.

This news comes amidst the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) countries’ renewed interest in using transnational railway networks as an important tool of regional integration in the sub-region. The pre-requisite to economic development anywhere is good connectivity and the BBIN countries have sought to, over the years build a trans-regional communication and transportation infrastructure. The most significant part of this infrastructure is the building and in some case resuscitation of railway networks between the BBIN countries.

Railways networks connecting South Asian countries is not a new phenomenon since there were many railway routes connecting India and Bangladesh since colonial times. The renewed interest in railways can further, also be attributed to the fact that railways are the most climate-efficient option for the movement of goods and people over long distances. It would lead to reduced carbon emissions for the BBIN countries and therefore the entire sub-region.

Apart from Bhutan, the other 3 countries are connected to each other by at least one railway line and the railways have good connectivity with ports facilitating trade in and through the sub-region. Bhutan, where roadways have been the main mode of transportation, does not have an operational rail network, but has been for some time considering developing a railway network for greater connectivity within the country as well as with its neighbouring BBIN countries. In fact it also signed a MoU with India in 2005 to develop, and set up five railway lines connecting both the countries.

That plan however did not come to fruition all these years, until now.  India’s decision to proceed with the much delayed railway connectivity project with Bhutan, comes at a time when Chinese presence along the Line of Actual Control has been increasing steadily. In such a climate, this railway link could be instrumental in enabling India to secure its borders against China.

The first ever passenger rail link between Jaynagar, India and Kurtha in Nepal too was inaugurated only last year. The only other railway line is between Raxual (India) to Sirsiya (Nepal), but is mainly used for freight movement. Nepal, like Bhutan is a landlocked country and has much to gain through the development of railway connectivity.

It could lead to the relaxation of roadway traffic in these countries and  reduce trade dependency on roadways. Further, access to low-cost railway services would also help both the countries to trade in resources and products that are not feasible to be transported through roadways. Nepal also has plans to develop a 1024km long East-west corridor that would connect, through a rail network, 24 districts spanning the entire length of Nepal,  from Kakarvitta, in Jhapa district to Mahendranagar, in Kanchapur district. This project is expected to produce big economic returns for Nepal, by generating employment and enabling simple and cost effective movement of people and goods across Nepal.

There are currently, five operational railway links between India and Bangladesh and the most recent one to be resuscitated is the Haldibari (West Bengal) to Chilahati line, which had stopped being in operation since 1965. This line is expected to increase railway access to main ports and dry ports in order to bring about economic development and social upliftment of the entire region, including Assam.

Further, it is expected to better connect this region to the rest of the country through the Siliguri Corridor. The other rail lines, used variously for passenger and freight travel, are,  The Petrapole-Benapole line- through which, an estimated 70% of the trade between India and Bangladesh takes place; The Gede-Darshana line, which falls within the proposed route of the Trans-Asian Railways and could help connect North-East India to South-East Asia; the Singhabad-Rohanpur line and The Radhikapur-Birol line.

Furthermore, the recently constructed Padma Multipurpose Bridge in Bangladesh is also expected to strengthen the physical connectivity between the two countries.

The four states making up BBIN, with their geographically contiguous borders and cultural links rooted in a common past and a long history of intra-regional trade and people to people connections, together form a South Asian Growth Quadrangle. Due to the interdependent nature of these states in political, cultural and economic matters, there is immense potential for overall economic development through increased connectivity and cooperation with each other.

Initiatives promoting greater regional connectivity, such as the- in some cases developed, in others proposed- transnational railway are mutually beneficial for all parties involved, providing them with an opportunity to utilise shared resources in a sustainable and rewarding manner allowing skill, as well the possibility of technology and knowledge transfer from more developed states to less developed states.

It also provides a way for smaller countries to hold their own and secure their own interests- with the help of its regional allies- in the midst of great power politics, resulting in the development of the entire region as a whole.  India has long understood this and has, especially in the last decade, made the BBIN initiative a priority and an important part of its sub-regional diplomacy efforts.

Not only does India seek to build sub-regional connectivity through BBIN, it also hopes to leverage this sub-regional partnership to develop connectivity with South East Asia.

The geographical proximity and sharing of borders of these countries with India’s north-east would also provide a way to develop the whole of north-east through cross-border efforts, as well as increase its accessibility vis-a- vis the rest of the country. In such a context, the development and resuscitation of cross-border railway networks is expected to transform connectivity in the BBIN region.  And as we now understand, stronger ties between the states would only lead to greater peace and stability in the region, with each country being able to pursue their individual security interests while prioritising collective economic development.

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