Where From… Whither To: Trends and Tribulations of the Indo-Pacific Concept

The Indo-Pacific idea represents the new maritime-configured supra-region. It was conceived in 2006-2007 due to the growing realisation that the security of the Western Pacific littoral states was becoming closely intertwined with the developments in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). There is hardly a comparable concept in history like the Indo-Pacific, which has become so central to the global geopolitical discourse in a short span of less than two decades. Over these few years, the Indo-Pacific concept has also undergone major transmutations in response to the emerging geopolitical environment within the region, and beyond. This paper traces the evolution of the Indo-Pacific concept since its origin to understand its transformative journey to the present day. In doing so, it examines the approaches of the major regional and stakeholder players—along with their respective Indo-Pacific visions and strategies—and the key developments that have impacted policy-making relating to the concept. It specifically analyses the three “Indo-Pacific Pivots”—the seminal milestones in the Indo-Pacific Concept—that have radically altered its nature at different points in time.

The first pivot occurred in November 2017 consequent to the Asia Tour of the then President of the United States (US) Donald Trump. The second was coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) that coincided with the diversification of the Indo-Pacific agenda in 2020-21 to “softer” issues beyond military security. The third was the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, that has brought back the focus of the Indo Pacific on military competition through the involvement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)…