The Editorial Analysis: Dealing with the Indo- Pacific is Not Easy

Indo Pacific region UPSC: Relevance

• GS 2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Indo Pacific Economic Framework UPSC: Context

• Recently, the US president Joseph Biden concluded his recent five-day visit to Asia.
• As soon as he reached US, North Korea test-fired three ballistic missiles even as it is preoccupied with a ‘fever’ in the country.
• Chinese and Russian fighter jets carried out joint flights over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea.

US in the Indo-Pacific region

• South Korea said that it would expand the presence of a U.S. missile defence system in the country.
• In Japan, the administration promised the US president that it was ready to do away with its long-standing 1% GDP ceiling for annual defence spending.
• In a press conference, the US president rather gave a more forceful statement that the U.S. would intervene militarily to defend Taiwan if it came under attack from China.

Tensions in Indo-Pacific region

• South Korea and Japan face regular nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.
• China not only challenges international maritime laws in the South China Sea, but also confronts Japan over the Senkaku Islands.
• Six nations, including China and Taiwan, are involved in the dispute over the Spratly Islands, which are supposedly sitting on vast reserves of oil and natural gas.
• China has vigorously militarised some portions of the disputed isles, islets and coral reefs; and countries like Vietnam and the Philippines are anxious not to be left behind.

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

• Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) was established with Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to emphasise on China.
• The IPEF will work on fine-tuning four major pillars: standards and rules for digital trade; resilient supply chains; green energy commitments; and fair trade.
• However, concerns are being raised that while the IPEF may be a good idea, there is discontent that the framework does not address issues of trade and tariffs.

Focussing on China

• Whether it is in East, Southeast or South Asia, every country has its own unique relationship with China.
• South Korea and Japan or even Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are part of a strong American security/strategic partnership but will be keen on maintaining their economic status with China.
• India may be a part of the Quad, but is quite mindful that it is the only country in the group that shares a land border with China which is laced with disputes.

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