India’s former ambassador to Myanmar has suggested integrating North east India's issues in its Indo-Pacific strategy.

India’s former ambassador to Myanmar has suggested integrating North east India's issues in its Indo-Pacific strategy.

Need to Integrate-

1. Domestic Challenges of Northeast: Smuggling, drug trafficking, transnational border crime, insurgent activity, and the influx of refugees (from Myanmar) are non-traditional threats to North east India. China was viewed as a ‘constant player’ behind these nefarious activities.
2. Cultural Diplomacy: Integration would help to expand the reach of cultural diplomacy and people-­to-­people cooperation through greater educational exchanges, tourism, and trade is desirable. 
3. Broad view of Indo-Pacific: Moving beyond geopolitics and geo-economics, neighbours should focus on “the geo­-cultural dimension” of the Indo­-Pacific.
4. ‘Think and Relate East’: In implementing India’s Indo­-Pacific strategy, voices from Northeast and eastern India must be heard. Thus, beyond ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ lies ‘Think and Relate East’, especially within our own country.

The Indo-Pacific is broadly to be understood as an interconnected space between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, joined together by its main trading channel, the straits of Malacca. Its expanse is debated to be ranging from the eastern shores of Africa to the western coast of the United States, albeit with variations in definitions depending on each actor and their own geographic positioning in the vast expanse. Given that it contains the world’s most crucial sea routes, the world’s most populous nations fuelling high energy demands, the Indo-Pacific is adjudged to be the centre of the globe in terms of politics and economics. 

The significance of Indo-Pacific for India-

1. India's rising role: Increasing use of the term Indo-Pacific recognises India’s centrality to global influences. 
2. Indo-US Relations:  A “stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region” is an “important pillar” of India’s strategic partnership with the United States. The emphasis shown by the US on the ‘Indo-Pacific’ can be termed as its strategic initiative towards India.
3. Democratic World Order: Engagement of India with the Indo-Pacific Pacific region is necessary for adhering to freedom of navigation, adherence to rules-based order and a stable trade environment, for free sea and airlines, connectivity and upholding international rules and norms.
4. To contain the growing assertiveness and presence of China (String of pearls, One Belt One Road initiative).
5. To combat Maritime Challenges such as constant threat of piracy and trafficking and other criminal activities in the high seas. 
6. Role of Net Security Provider: To strengthen the capability of the Indian Navy to cover the entire IOR.

Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative:

In 2019, Prime Minister Modi launched the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) at the East Asia Summit. IPOI seeks to ensure security and stability of the regional maritime. IPOI is an open, non-treaty based initiative for countries to work together for cooperative and collaborative solutions to common challenges in the region. IPOI draws on existing regional architecture and mechanisms to focus on seven pillars: Maritime Security, Maritime Ecology, Maritime Resources, Capacity Building and Resource Sharing, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation, Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport. 

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue' (QSD): 

The Quad is an informal strategic forum comprising four nations, namely - United States of America (USA), India, Australia and Japan. One of the primary objectives of the Quad is to work for a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The group met for the first time in 2007 on the side lines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is considered an alliance of maritime democracies, and the forum is maintained by meetings, semi-regular summits, information exchanges and military drills of all the member countries.

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF):

IPEF is a U.S.-led framework for participating countries to solidify their relationships and engage in crucial economic and trade matters that concern the region, such as building resilient supply chains battered by the pandemic. It is not a free trade agreement. Member States: US, Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Fiji, and Vietnam.

EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific:

Its objectives are to solidify and defend the rules-based international order, by promoting inclusive and effective multilateral cooperation based on shared values and principles. Establish mutually supportive trade and economic relations with the region

Conclusion-

India should focus on the link between the Indo-China border area and the East China Sea. It is important for India to cooperate with Japan and the US to deal with the Chinese front. India should focus on establishing connectivity in the region based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, consultation, good governance, transparency, viability and sustainability. India needs to modernise the infrastructure to deploy more and larger warships and planes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India needs to have maritime alliances like Quad (India, Australia, the US and Japan) with different countries including the US to protect its interests in the South China Sea without provoking China.

Go to Link