Indo-Pacific Strategy and Rivalries

Introduction

The Indo-Pacific is a geopolitical concept that combines the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions into a single strategic and economic space.

The concept has gained importance because of the growing economic and strategic connections between East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.

The Indo-Pacific is not governed by one organization or represented by a single strategy. Different countries use the concept differently, reflecting their own strategic interests and regional priorities.

Meaning of the Indo-Pacific

Indo-Pacific refers broadly to the interconnected geographical space extending from the western Indian Ocean across South and Southeast Asia to the Pacific.

Its importance comes from:

• maritime trade
• energy routes
• major economies
• population centres
• strategic waterways
• naval power
• supply chains
• technological competition

Maritime Geography

The Indo-Pacific contains some of the world’s most important maritime routes.

Important waterways include:

• Strait of Hormuz
• Bab el-Mandeb
• Strait of Malacca
• Sunda Strait
• Lombok Strait
• South China Sea
• East China Sea

Sea lines of communication (SLOCs) are maritime routes used for commercial and military transportation.

Indo-Pacific and Global Trade

A large proportion of international trade passes through the region.

Maritime trade dependence refers to dependence on sea transportation for imports, exports, energy and industrial supply chains.

Disruption of maritime routes can affect:

• energy prices
• shipping costs
• insurance
• food supplies
• manufacturing
• global inflation

Major Indo-Pacific Powers

Major powers active in the Indo-Pacific include:

• United States
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• Russia

Important middle powers and regional actors include:

• Indonesia
• South Korea
• Vietnam
• Singapore
• Philippines
• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• France
• United Kingdom

China’s Indo-Pacific Role

China is a major economic, military and diplomatic actor in the Indo-Pacific.

Its regional interests include:

• maritime trade
• energy security
• territorial claims
• regional connectivity
• economic partnerships
• technological development
• military modernization

China emphasizes concepts such as peaceful development, regional cooperation and opposition to bloc confrontation.

United States and the Indo-Pacific

The United States views the Indo-Pacific as a major strategic region.

Its regional engagement includes:

• alliances
• defence partnerships
• maritime security
• economic cooperation
• technology
• diplomatic engagement

Major U.S. treaty allies in the region include:

• Japan
• South Korea
• Australia
• Philippines
• Thailand

India’s Indo-Pacific Role

India’s Indo-Pacific approach emphasizes:

• maritime security
• freedom of navigation
• regional connectivity
• economic cooperation
• ASEAN centrality
• strategic autonomy
• Indian Ocean security

India’s geographical location makes it a major Indian Ocean power.

Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific

Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) is a Japanese strategic concept emphasizing a free and open regional order, connectivity, maritime security and adherence to international law.

Japan’s FOIP approach has become an important component of the wider Indo-Pacific strategic debate.

ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific

ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) provides an ASEAN-centred approach to the region.

The AOIP emphasizes:

• ASEAN centrality
• openness
• inclusiveness
• transparency
• rules-based regional architecture
• international law
• dialogue
• practical cooperation

ASEAN continues to present the AOIP as an important framework for its engagement with external partners.

ASEAN Centrality

ASEAN Centrality refers to ASEAN’s role as a convening and coordinating institution in the evolving regional architecture.

It does not mean ASEAN controls regional politics.

Instead, it emphasizes ASEAN-led forums such as:

• ASEAN Regional Forum
• East Asia Summit
• ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus
• ASEAN Plus Three
• ASEAN Plus One mechanisms

ASEAN’s 2026 engagements continued to emphasize ASEAN unity, centrality and ASEAN-led regional mechanisms.

Quad

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) brings together:

• United States
• India
• Japan
• Australia

The Quad focuses on areas including:

• maritime security
• critical technologies
• health
• infrastructure
• humanitarian assistance
• resilient supply chains

It is not a formal military alliance.

AUKUS

AUKUS is a security partnership involving:

• Australia
• United Kingdom
• United States

It focuses particularly on defence technology and Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, alongside cooperation in advanced capabilities.

South China Sea

The South China Sea is a major strategic and maritime area within the Indo-Pacific.

Its significance derives from:

• trade routes
• fisheries
• hydrocarbons
• maritime geography
• territorial claims
• military deployments

Several states have overlapping maritime claims in the region.

Freedom of Navigation

Freedom of navigation refers to the principle that ships should be able to navigate according to applicable international law.

The concept is particularly important in discussions concerning maritime claims and international maritime law.

Maritime Domain Awareness

Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) refers to the ability to understand activities, vessels, infrastructure and events occurring within the maritime domain.

It may involve:

• satellites
• radar
• automatic identification systems
• coastal surveillance
• intelligence
• information sharing

MDA is increasingly important for both traditional and non-traditional maritime security.

Indo-Pacific Economic Competition

The Indo-Pacific is also an arena of economic competition.

Major issues include:

• semiconductor supply chains
• critical minerals
• artificial intelligence
• telecommunications
• ports
• infrastructure
• digital networks
• energy

Economic security refers to protecting the resilience and strategic interests of a country’s economy.

Strategic Rivalry

Strategic rivalry occurs when major states perceive their long-term interests, influence or security objectives as competing.

In the Indo-Pacific, strategic rivalry is particularly associated with:

• U.S.-China competition
• China-India competition
• maritime competition
• technology competition
• regional alliance structures

Risk of Bloc Politics

Bloc politics refers to the division of international politics into relatively competing groups or alignments.

The Indo-Pacific contains both bloc-like security arrangements and more inclusive multilateral institutions.

ASEAN’s approach emphasizes openness and inclusiveness and seeks to avoid rigid bloc politics.

Rules-Based Regional Order

Rules-based regional order refers to a regional system in which states seek to manage relations through agreed rules, institutions and principles.

International law, including the UN Charter and the law of the sea, forms part of the broader normative framework.

Key Distinctions

Indo-Pacific vs Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific traditionally focused more heavily on East Asia and the western Pacific. Indo-Pacific expands the geographical concept to incorporate the Indian Ocean.

Quad vs NATO: The Quad is a diplomatic and strategic partnership, whereas NATO is a formal collective-defence alliance.

FOIP vs AOIP: FOIP is primarily associated with the Japanese and wider partner concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific. AOIP is ASEAN’s framework emphasizing ASEAN centrality, openness and inclusiveness.

Maritime security vs maritime safety: Maritime security concerns deliberate threats such as piracy or armed attacks. Maritime safety concerns accidents, navigation and protection of life and vessels.

Key Terms at a Glance

• Indo-Pacific
• Asia-Pacific
• FOIP
• AOIP
• ASEAN Centrality
• Quad
• AUKUS
• Maritime security
• Maritime safety
• Sea lines of communication
• Maritime Domain Awareness
• Freedom of navigation
• South China Sea
• Rules-based regional order
• Strategic rivalry
• Bloc politics
• Economic security
• Supply chain resilience
• Strategic autonomy

Related Glossaries

• 3.4 Balance of Power and Balance of Threat
• 3.5 Hegemony, Polarity and Power Transition
• 7.6 Multilateralism and Global Governance
• 9.5 Collective Security and Collective Defence
• 12.2 Geostrategy and Strategic Geography
• 12.4 Chokepoints, Corridors and Strategic Locations
• 13.3 ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Institutions
• 13.6 QUAD, AUKUS and Other Strategic Groupings
• 15.6 India-China Strategic Competition
• 15.8 Indian Ocean Geopolitics
• 19.4 Technology Competition and Semiconductor Geopolitics

Conclusion

The Indo-Pacific has become an important framework for understanding contemporary Asian geopolitics. It combines maritime geography, economic interdependence, strategic competition, technology, security partnerships and regional institutions.

The region cannot be understood solely through rivalry between major powers. ASEAN-led institutions, middle powers, economic networks and multilateral arrangements are also important components of the evolving Indo-Pacific order.