Why the Pacific islands are key
1 year, 6 months ago

Why the Pacific islands are key

Hindustan Times  

Off the northeastern coast of Australia in the Pacific Ocean is a smattering of islands, which form the frontline in the battle to survive in a warming Earth, and the associated vagaries of rapid sea level rise and rash changes in climate phenomenon. Yet, these small islands — sandwiched between the United States, China and Australia — also serve another purpose, and an acutely important geostrategic one at that. Despite a push by Beijing, 10 island States refused to sign on a trade and security pact that even envisaged China funding a police training academy and closer cyber-security cooperation. It is against this backdrop that India’s summit with 14 island States within the framework of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation is a welcome development. Getting the Pacific Island States on board will help shore up India’s position at global bodies and also protect vital sea lanes.

India China States Indian Pacific Islands Cooperation  region  islands  cooperation  india  key  china  island  security  presence  states  pacific

History of this topic

Time to reset the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
1 month ago

Time to reset the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative

Hindustan Times  

Launched in 2019 at the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit in Bangkok, the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative appeared to hold promise as India’s guiding framework to strengthen its role and enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The IPOI, envisaged as a critical vista for enhancing cooperation and collaboration among like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific, was framed on seven key pillars: maritime ecology; …

Climate-threatened Pacific Islands criticize Australia at Commonwealth meeting
2 months ago

Climate-threatened Pacific Islands criticize Australia at Commonwealth meeting

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Several Pacific island nations singled …

India and Quad: A tale of collaboration
3 months ago

India and Quad: A tale of collaboration

Hindustan Times  

The Quad summit to be held on September 21 in United States president Joe Biden’s hometown, Wilmington, will be the sixth since the meetings at this level were initiated in March 2021 by the Biden administration, within months of taking over in January that year. Including the upcoming one, Biden would have hosted four when he leaves office — there …

Leaders of Pacific Islands endorse joint policing plan
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Leaders of Pacific Islands endorse joint policing plan

The Hindu  

Pacific Island leaders endorsed a landmark regional policing plan at a summit in Tonga on Wednesday, a contentious move seen as trying to limit China’s security role in the region. “This demonstrates how Pacific leaders are working together to shape the future that we want to see,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The Australian leader made the announcement while …

Tropical Tug-of-War: China and the West’s Influence Battle in the Pacific
4 months ago

Tropical Tug-of-War: China and the West’s Influence Battle in the Pacific

The Diplomat  

The verdant islands of the Pacific, often romanticized as serene havens, are the latest battlegrounds in the geopolitical chess match between China and Western powers. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, alongside Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, inaugurated a $36.55 million airstrip funded by New Zealand and Australia. Australia and New Zealand’s involvement in Solomon Islands signifies a concerted …

Pacific island leaders agree to enhance Japan’s role in the region amid growing China influence
5 months ago

Pacific island leaders agree to enhance Japan’s role in the region amid growing China influence

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Leaders of 18 Pacific island nations and areas agreed to an enhanced role of Japan in the region’s development while opposing any attempted coercive activity, in a joint declaration adopted at their summit Thursday, as Tokyo seeks greater engagement to counter China’s influence. The Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, or PALM, launched under a Japanese initiative in 1997, has …

Dominating the Indian Ocean: India Transforming Lakshadweep into Strategic Military Stronghold
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Dominating the Indian Ocean: India Transforming Lakshadweep into Strategic Military Stronghold

News 18  

For an excruciatingly long period, the only attention Lakshadweep got was from school kids – learning about India’s pristine islands for the first time. This airstrip’s development also aims to boost tourism around Lakshadweep and enhance India’s surveillance capabilities in and around the Arabian Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific region. Indians know fairly well that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands …

India Will Uphold A Free, Stable Indo-Pacific, Says Army Chief
1 year, 2 months ago

India Will Uphold A Free, Stable Indo-Pacific, Says Army Chief

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Indian Army chief Gen. Manoj Pande on Tuesday told the Army Chiefs from the Indo-Pacific region that India was committed to maintaining a free and stable Indo-Pacific where the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations are respected. "While efforts by countries are converging towards effecting a free and stable Indo-Pacific, yet we are witnessing manifestations of inter-state …

No nation can tackle alone challenges of Indo-Pacific: Rajnath
1 year, 2 months ago

No nation can tackle alone challenges of Indo-Pacific: Rajnath

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said security considerations have elevated the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific and the vast stretch confronts a web of challenges that no country can tackle alone, with army chief General Manoj Pande describing it as a theatre of complexities with manifestations of interstate competitions and a top US general calling for deepening …

Why are world leaders racing to the Pacific Islands?
1 year, 4 months ago

Why are world leaders racing to the Pacific Islands?

Al Jazeera  

It’s not just the US and China. China’s recently reappointed Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited in June 2022, at the end of a trip to eight Pacific Island nations, while the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed this May. A decades-long conflict between Indonesia’s military and separatist rebels in Papua, a province that borders Papua New Guinea, has …

India seeks bigger role in Indo-Pacific as China continues on aggressive path
1 year, 4 months ago

India seeks bigger role in Indo-Pacific as China continues on aggressive path

Live Mint  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a "guarantee" that during his third term, India will become the third largest economy, one place below China, a country with which India is having bilateral issues for quite a while now. The recent developments in the region are hinting that India is seeking a big-brother role in the Indo-Pacific region, especially for countries …

U.S.-India ties facilitate development of defence platforms: Lloyd Austin
1 year, 6 months ago

U.S.-India ties facilitate development of defence platforms: Lloyd Austin

The Hindu  

The U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology allows the exploration of new ways to co-develop key defence platforms, U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin said in Singapore on Saturday, adding that the U.S. is committed to sharing the technological advances it has made to help its allies. Stressing that partnerships between countries can strengthen ties, Mr. Austin said …

PM Announces Plan To Keep China At Bay
1 year, 7 months ago

PM Announces Plan To Keep China At Bay

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: In a bid to counter China’s growing influence on the Pacific island nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a slew of Indian medical and development assistance measures to benefit these 14 small nations, including in healthcare and medical treatment, desalination, renewable energy, technical education scholarships and small and medium enterprises. Addressing the third summit of the Forum for …

Whose Indo-Pacific Are You Talking About? - News18
1 year, 7 months ago

Whose Indo-Pacific Are You Talking About? - News18

News 18  

In geographical terms, Maldives is a small country compared to most others. In this overall background, the irony was that Maldivian Vice President Faisal Naseem was urging for peace in the Indian Ocean at a conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when the nation’s Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid was participating and also co-moderating a green energy round-table of the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum …

‘India a Critical, Great Power in Indo-Pacific’: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
1 year, 9 months ago

‘India a Critical, Great Power in Indo-Pacific’: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong

News 18  

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said India is a “great power” and it brings fresh perspectives when it comes to tackling current issues. We’ve seen that India is a civilisational power that brings a different perspective to some of the challenges of our time,” Wong said during her discussion in a response to a question raised by the President of …

Accepting the new normal in the Indo-Pacific contestation
2 years ago

Accepting the new normal in the Indo-Pacific contestation

The Hindu  

As 2022 comes to an end, the world is embracing a ‘new normal’ where new fault lines are being reconfigured in the Indo-Pacific. As tensions between an aggressive China and an emerging India intensify, New Delhi’s Quad partners are also making inroads in its backyard, ushering significant changes in the region. China’s widening outreach The contestation for South Asia and …

India and Australia have common interest in Indian Ocean region: Australian Navy
2 years, 1 month ago

India and Australia have common interest in Indian Ocean region: Australian Navy

Live Mint  

Australia is increasing its military cooperation with India and both countries have common interests in the Indian Ocean region, which is an important area for Australia, Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley, Commander of the Australian Fleet said on Tuesday. It is one of Australia's key regional maritime engagements and under it, the Navy of the country is visiting 14 countries in …

Top US General Hails India as 'Indispensable Partner' for Stability in South Asia, Indian Ocean Region
2 years, 2 months ago

Top US General Hails India as 'Indispensable Partner' for Stability in South Asia, Indian Ocean Region

News 18  

A top US general said India was an “indispensable partner” for stability in South Asia and the greater Indian Ocean Region, as a joint exercise between the two countries came to an end on Thursday. “India is an indispensable partner and leader in advancing stability and security throughout South Asia and the greater Indian Ocean Region,” said Major General Christopher …

Penny Wong Meets Jaishankar, Says India-Australia Must ‘Navigate Together’ on Indo-Pacific Matters
2 years, 2 months ago

Penny Wong Meets Jaishankar, Says India-Australia Must ‘Navigate Together’ on Indo-Pacific Matters

News 18  

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong on Monday while addressing a joint press conference with Union minister of external affairs S Jaishankar said India and Australia should resolve issues in the Indo-Pacific region together. Responding to Wong’s vision of a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, S Jaishankar said: “India and Australia believe in freedom of navigation in international waters, and in …

US to expand diplomatic, defense footprint in the Pacific
2 years, 2 months ago

US to expand diplomatic, defense footprint in the Pacific

Live Mint  

A new U.S. strategy for the Pacific will involve a bigger diplomatic and security footprint, help island nations respond to climate change and focus on economic prosperity, according to a preview released shortly before Pacific leaders planned to meet President Biden in Washington. The two-day meeting, billed by the U.S. as a summit involving leaders and representatives from more than …

Harris vows US will strengthen its Pacific islands relations
2 years, 5 months ago

Harris vows US will strengthen its Pacific islands relations

Associated Press  

SUVA, Fiji — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris assured Pacific island leaders of more U.S. engagement after acknowledging Wednesday the United States may not have previously provided the diplomatic attention the region deserved. Harris’ virtual address to the Pacific Islands Forum, meeting in the Fijian capital Suva, comes as China vies for more influence in the Indo-Pacific region. “The United …

Pacific islands summit begins amid US-China battle for influence
2 years, 5 months ago

Pacific islands summit begins amid US-China battle for influence

Al Jazeera  

Key summit comes as region grapples with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and US-China rivalry. “I don’t hear a well-formulated answer on exactly how the strategy will be implemented, and I don’t think other neighbouring nations are much further along than we are.” Bohn said that while developed countries would prefer to see the region adopt a …

China’s growing footprint in the Pacific Islands
2 years, 6 months ago

China’s growing footprint in the Pacific Islands

The Hindu  

The story so far: Wang Yi, the Foreign Minister of China, is currently on an eight-day visit to ten Pacific Island Countries, and has co-hosted with Fiji the Second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting on May 30, 2022. Though this has raised regional concerns about China’s growing footprint in the Pacific islands, it has also been seen as a …

China and the Pacific Step Up
2 years, 6 months ago

China and the Pacific Step Up

Hindustan Times  

In the recent Australian elections on May 21, 2022, we saw China dominating the domestic politics during the election campaigns. The leaked document revealed the South Pacific Island’s unprecedented level of security cooperation with Beijing which includes the latter’s right to access naval facilities in the Solomon Islands for resupply/logistical replenishments and stopover transitions. The advantage of a base for …

China says Quad, AUKUS are ‘cliques’ in U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy
2 years, 10 months ago

China says Quad, AUKUS are ‘cliques’ in U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy

The Hindu  

China has equated the India, U.S., Australia, Japan Quad grouping with the AUKUS defence pact, calling both “exclusive cliques” part of the Biden administration’s “ill-intentioned” Indo-Pacific strategy. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in Melbourne last week for the Quad Foreign Ministers meet, rejected that criticism, saying on Friday, “Our record, actions and stance are fairly clear and by criticising them …

Collective action key to new U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy
2 years, 10 months ago

Collective action key to new U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy

The Hindu  

The Biden administration announced its long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy on Friday. Speaking to reporters on Friday a senior administration official, who did not want to be named, said that India’s role in the Quad was an important element of the U.S.-India relationship, and a means to “speak frankly about issues in the region,” and to deliver together on public goods. Responding …

Explained | Will AUKUS upset the Indo-Pacific balance?
3 years, 2 months ago

Explained | Will AUKUS upset the Indo-Pacific balance?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On September 15, U.S. President Joe Biden, along with Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson of Australia and the U.K. respectively, announced the formation of a new trilateral security partnership called AUKUS. Beijing’s consternation that AUKUS will “undermine” regional peace and “intensify” an arms race likely stems from the cornerstone of AUKUS: a proposal whereby …

‘Here to stay’: Indo-Pacific Quad leaders to meet at White House
3 years, 3 months ago

‘Here to stay’: Indo-Pacific Quad leaders to meet at White House

Al Jazeera  

The leaders of the United States, Japan, India and Australia will meet on Friday for their first in-person person summit of the Indo-Pacific Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or so-called “Quad” grouping. Heading into the first in-person leaders meeting, the survival of the current iteration of the grouping across two US administrations and changes in governments in Japan and Australia “speaks to …

Quad summit in October, rising China on agenda
3 years, 5 months ago

Quad summit in October, rising China on agenda

Hindustan Times  

US President Joe Biden will host the leaders of Australia, India and Japan later this year, White House coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell said on Tuesday. What started as an instrument to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Quad has now become a democratic tool to help the world in vaccine supply, human disaster relief, counter-terrorism, …

Covid crisis, India and the Indian Ocean balance of power
3 years, 6 months ago

Covid crisis, India and the Indian Ocean balance of power

Times of India  

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, India has turned the crisis into an opportunity in the Indian Ocean region thanks to its humanitarian assistance programme and increased engagement with other powers in the region. Concurrently, India’s humanitarian assistance programme and pragmatism towards littoral states and some other recent developments such as the first Quad leaders’ virtual Summit, Quad Malabar naval exercise in …

Like-minded countries should act cohesively to protect interests in Indo-Pacific: Australian PM
3 years, 8 months ago

Like-minded countries should act cohesively to protect interests in Indo-Pacific: Australian PM

The Hindu  

The Indo-Pacific region has become the epicentre of strategic competition and like-minded nations need to act more consistently and cohesively to protect their shared interests in the face of multiple challenges, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday. In an address at the Raisina Dialogue, he said the coronavirus pandemic has provided a fresh perspective in creating new opportunities …

In signal to China, U.S. raised India ties during Alaska talks
3 years, 8 months ago

In signal to China, U.S. raised India ties during Alaska talks

The Hindu  

The Joe Biden administration highlighted the strength of U.S.-India ties in its March 19 meeting with Chinese officials in Alaska, underlining how it has increasingly come to view India as central to its broader objectives in dealing with China in the Indo-Pacific region. The speed with which the new Biden administration has pushed closer ties with India has come in …

Quad: strategic opportunity or quagmire?
3 years, 9 months ago

Quad: strategic opportunity or quagmire?

The Hindu  

On March 5, the Indian media carried news reports, based on remarks by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, that the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known briefly as Quad, would soon meet at summit level, thus signalling the importance attached to this grouping by the Biden administration. India’s engagement with the Quad goes back to China’s expanding footprint in South Asia and …

China perceives rising India as 'rival', wants to constrain its ties with US, allies: Report
4 years, 1 month ago

China perceives rising India as 'rival', wants to constrain its ties with US, allies: Report

India Today  

China perceives a rising India as a "rival" and wants to constrain its strategic partnership with the US, its allies, and with other democracies, the State Department said in a report, emphasising that Beijing intends to displace America as the world’s foremost power. "China perceives rising India as a rival and seeks to impel it to accommodate Beijing's ambitions by …

India Will Be Most Consequential Partner for US in Indo-Pacific This Century: Esper
4 years, 2 months ago

India Will Be Most Consequential Partner for US in Indo-Pacific This Century: Esper

News 18  

India will be the most consequential partner for the US in the Indo-Pacific this century, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday ahead of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between the two countries next week. Esper on Tuesday told a Washington audience that he and the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would be travelling to New Delhi next week for the …

Eye on China: India, US, Japan, Australia 'Quad' Discuss 'Free, Open, Prosperous & Inclusive' Indo-Pacific
4 years, 2 months ago

Eye on China: India, US, Japan, Australia 'Quad' Discuss 'Free, Open, Prosperous & Inclusive' Indo-Pacific

News 18  

New Delhi: Senior officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia on Friday held a virtual meeting under the framework of Quadrilateral coalition or “Quad”, focusing on ways to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the officials reaffirmed their commitment towards a “free, open, prosperous and inclusive” …

US Says Concept of Indo-Pacific Incorporated India into Larger Solution
4 years, 3 months ago

US Says Concept of Indo-Pacific Incorporated India into Larger Solution

News 18  

The concept of the Indo-Pacific has incorporated India into the larger solution and the Trump administration is developing new arrangements to coordinate with like-minded partners like the Quad countries, a top American diplomat has told lawmakers. In November 2017, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending “Quad” Coalition to develop a new strategy with an aim …

US Signs Defence Cooperation Deal with Maldives Amidst China's Growing Presence in Indian Ocean
4 years, 3 months ago

US Signs Defence Cooperation Deal with Maldives Amidst China's Growing Presence in Indian Ocean

News 18  

Washington: The US has signed a framework for defence cooperation with the Maldives to deepen engagement in support of maintaining peace and security in the strategic Indian Ocean, the Pentagon has announced, as the Trump administration looks for strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific to counter China's growing presence in the region. "The framework sets forth both countries' intent to deepen …

A new dimension: The Hindu Editorial on India-U.S.-Australia-Japan Quadrilateral
4 years, 3 months ago

A new dimension: The Hindu Editorial on India-U.S.-Australia-Japan Quadrilateral

The Hindu  

In what will be seen as a significant shift of the government’s posture towards the India-U.S.-Australia-Japan Quadrilateral, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat stated on Thursday that India believes the Quad would be a “good mechanism” to “ensure Freedom of Navigation Operations” in the Indian Ocean and surrounding oceans including the Indo-Pacific. While India continues to engage China diplomatically, …

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