The Indo-Pacific is a geographical area that encompasses the regions of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, along with the countries surrounding them and the crucial waterways and marine resources. It also includes critical maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Malacca, Taiwan Strait, the Bab-al-Mandeb, Straits of Lombok and Sunda, the South China Sea, etc., which are vital for global trade and energy supply routes. 

        In the past decade, shifting national interests necessitated a shift in policy from the Asia-Pacific to the Indo-Pacific. This policy shift is essential to address the aggression of China, increasing threats to critical sea lanes of communication, and non-traditional security challenges. It was also important for the inclusion of India – a growing major power – into the policy frameworks of key global actors, particularly the US.

       A primary factor contributing to this transition was the convergence of strategic interests between India and the US, particularly during the tenure of former US President Trump. During Trump’s presidency, the US prioritised a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”, a policy framework designed to guarantee freedom of navigation, protect the rule of law, and foster regional stability.

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The strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific region for India:

• Geo-political aspirations -As Indo-Pacific is a multipolar region that is home to more than half of the world''s population and GDP. So, a stable, safe, and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region is an important part of India''s strategic partnership with other countries, especially the US, and is crucial for India as it wishes to expand its influence in the region, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia by emerging as a net security provider in the region.
• Mineral Resources: The Indo-Pacific region is home to important resources like offshore hydrocarbons, methane hydrates, seabed minerals, rare earth metals, etc. The South China Sea, for example, is thought to hold 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas, as well as 10% of the world''s fish catch and 10% of the world''s gas. Thus, India is also interested in sustainable mineral exploration in the region e.g., Samudrayaan Mission.
• Economic Growth: A report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says that countries in the Indo-Pacific produce more than 60 percent of the world''s gross domestic product (GDP). This makes the Indo-Pacific the biggest single contributor to global growth.
• Important sea lanes of communication: Many of the world''s most important choke points for global trade are in this area, including the Straits of Malacca Bab-el-Mandeb and Lombok Strait, which are very important for the growth of the world economy. The Indo-Pacific region is also a hub for international trade. About 32,2 million barrels of crude oil pass through the area every year, and 40% of the world''s exports come from the area. Also, 90% of India’s trade and its energy supplies are transported via the Indian Ocean, thus India is taking steps to establish a rules-based order in the region.
• Countering China - Given that China continues to exert its influence in the region through its Belt and Road Initiative and as China is increasing its proximity to the vital choke points by developing Gwadar (Pakistan) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka). These acts of China are leading toward the militarization of the region. So, to establish a rules-based order in the region, India needs to counter China by emerging as the net security provider in the region.

India''s Indo-Pacific approach, an extension of its Act East policy, embraces inclusivity and freedom of navigation. It fosters partnerships with key regional players like, Japan, South Korea and Australia, while promoting a balanced, cooperative framework for all nations in the international seas..