India’s expanding defence ties in Indo-Pacific region to increase Sino-Indian competition
India’s expanding defence role and partnerships in Indo-Pacific region will likely further contribute to the increasingly competitive nature of India–China relations, pointee out International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), leading international think tank in its recent report.
The 11th edition of the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment (APRSA) released on the occasion on Shangrila Dialogue beginning on Friday in Singapore noted, “For India, being a ‘preferred security partner through defence partnerships, from combined exercises to arms transfer, increases its regional presence, which in turn enhances its influence with Asia-Pacific countries while countering Beijing’s regional influence. India’s defence engagement is and will continue to be focused on the Indian Ocean region, although it is working to increase its presence in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean. India’s expanding defence role and partnerships will likely further contribute to the increasingly competitive nature of India–China relations.’’
It may be noted that India has stepped up its maritime security partnership across SE Asia including deputing Navy ships to the region regularly.
APRSA has highlighted the growth in competition within the Asia-Pacific region, as both the United States and China vie for influence.
While the US continues to show a serious interest in dealing with China, the pressures of conflict elsewhere in Europe and the Middle East have drawn away focus from
