On Indo-Pacific, Delhi must match words, actions, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a six-day tour to Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand to strengthen India's role in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The tour aimed to narrow the gap in economic, strategic, and security cooperation, particularly with ASEAN nations.
• Key outcomes included accelerating the development of Sabang port in Indonesia and initiating talks for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Australia.
• India's trade with ASEAN reached approximately $125 billion in 2025, significantly less than China's nearly $1 trillion with the same grouping.
• The visit to New Zealand focused on a recently concluded FTA and expanded maritime cooperation in the South Pacific.

Detailed Insights:

• The tour underscored India's intent to play an independent role in Asia amidst global uncertainties regarding the US commitment to a balanced Asian order.
• India's engagement with the East has evolved from the Look East Policy to the more proactive Act East Policy over the last three decades.
• Despite policy initiatives, India has not fully realized the potential of its relationships in Southeast and East Asia, evident in trade and connectivity gaps.
• The decision to accelerate Sabang port development is crucial for enhancing logistics, maritime domain awareness, and naval cooperation with Indonesia.
• Expanded defence cooperation with Indonesia includes the potential sale of BrahMos missiles, showcasing India's growing defence export capabilities.
• Talks for a comprehensive FTA with Australia aim to build on existing trade liberalization and secure critical resources like uranium and other minerals.
• Australian uranium exports are vital for India's ambitious nuclear power generation plans and long-term industrial growth.
• Enhanced maritime cooperation in the eastern Indian Ocean is a significant strategic gain, contributing to regional security.
• The visit to New Zealand addressed a period of diplomatic neglect, providing a platform for greater engagement in the South Pacific, where China's presence is growing.
• The article emphasizes that the success of these diplomatic initiatives depends on effective domestic implementation of agreements.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Indo-Pacific: A geopolitical concept emphasizing the interconnectedness of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, crucial for trade, security, and strategic influence.
• Look East Policy: India's foreign policy initiative launched in the early 1990s to cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with Southeast Asian nations.
• Act East Policy: An upgrade of the Look East Policy in 2014, focusing on proactive engagement and deeper economic, strategic, and cultural ties with the Asia-Pacific region.
• ASEAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional intergovernmental organization promoting economic, political, and security cooperation among its ten member states.
• Free Trade Agreement (FTA): A pact between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade, such as tariffs and quotas, to facilitate commerce.