"The Indo-Pacific: A New Frontier in Global Geopolitics"

Introduction
The Indo-Pacific region is a strategic geographical area that encompasses the Indian Ocean and the
western and central Pacific Ocean, extending from the eastern coast of Africa to the western shores of
the Americas. It includes vital maritime routes that facilitate trade and economic interaction between
some of the world’s largest economies, making it crucial in contemporary global affairs. The region is
characterized by its diversity in culture, politics, and economics, with significant nations like India,
China, Japan, Australia, and the United States playing pivotal roles in shaping its dynamics.
The significance of the Indo-Pacific lies in its position as a center for global trade, security
cooperation, and geopolitical competition. It is home to key maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait
of Malacca and the South China Sea, through which a substantial portion of global trade transits.
Furthermore, the region has become a focal point for strategic partnerships and alliances aimed at
counterbalancing rising powers and addressing shared challenges, making it a critical arena for both
regional and global governance.

Indo Pacific region

The term "Indo-Pacific Region" refers to the countries of South and Southeast Asia, along with the
regions of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Due to the strategic geographical locations of the
South and Southeast Asian countries, the term "Indo-Pacific" began gaining prominence in diplomatic
circles and global political discussions from 2011. This marked the beginning of geopolitical focus on
this region. The Indo-Pacific region includes countries such as Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri
Lanka, the Maldives, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the
Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Japan, Australia,
New Zealand, the United States, and others.

Why is the Indo-Pacific region becoming the fulcrum?

As Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval strategist and the author of The Influence of Sea Power Upon
History, argued “Whoever rules the waves rules the world,” and the thicket lies in the geopolitical
realities of the twenty-first-century politics that has led to a power play in a region that is
geoeconomically becoming the center of gravity with the shift from the West to East. Thus, many
observers have referred to our current period as the Asian Century—a politically contested and
militarily volatile flashpoint for potential conflicts between the major powers vying for influence that
heralds a potential reset of the world order.
Applying this theory, the Indo-Pacific has become a fulcrum of global power for several reasons and
that are-
Mahan emphasized the importance of chokepoints and trade routes, and the Indo-Pacific holds some
of the world’s most vital passages, like the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, through which
a major portion of global trade and energy supplies transit. Control over these areas aligns with
Mahan’s concept of strategic maritime dominance (Mahan, 1890).

Strategic Interests of Major Powers

The strategic interests of major powers in the Indo-Pacific are diverse:
United States: Aims to maintain a free and open maritime order while countering China's
assertiveness.
China: Seeks to expand its influence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and
assert territorial claims in the South China Sea.
India: Focuses on securing its interests in the Indian Ocean and enhancing regional cooperation
through platforms like QUAD.
Japan and Australia: Engage in strengthening alliances to address common security challenges posed
by China's rise

Major Power Rivalries in the Indo-Pacific and how does the

rivalry between the US-led QUAD and China's BRI shape the
geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific?
The United States and China are engaged in a multifaceted rivalry encompassing military, economic,
and ideological dimensions. This competition has intensified over issues such as trade, technology,
territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and influence over regional a
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are two
significant frameworks that illustrate the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific region,
each reflecting different strategic priorities and approaches among major powers.

QUAD's Role in the Indo-Pacific

The QUAD, comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, has emerged as a pivotal
security alliance aimed at promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. Since its resurgence in 2017, the
QUAD has focused on enhancing regional cooperation, maritime security, and addressing common
challenges such as terrorism and climate change. Its initiatives include joint military exercises and the
Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, which seeks to improve maritime security
and address illegal fishing and humanitarian crises (Blanchard & Fuchs, 2020).
The QUAD serves as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the region, with member states
increasingly viewing China as a strategic rival. This coalition aims to bolster regional stability by
fostering partnerships and ensuring freedom of navigation in critical sea lanes. The QUAD's
adaptability allows it to complement existing regional frameworks like ASEAN rather than replace
them, positioning itself as a catalyst for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific (Blanchard & Fuchs, 2020).
BRI's Influence on the Indo-Pacific
In contrast, China's Belt and Road Initiative represents its strategy to expand economic influence
through infrastructure development across Asia and beyond. The BRI aims to enhance connectivity by
investing in ports, roads, and railways throughout the Indo-Pacific region. This initiative is seen as a
means for China to secure its economic interests while establishing a network of dependencies among
participating countries (Blanchard & Fuchs, 2020).
While the BRI focuses on economic integration and development, it has raised concerns among
QUAD nations regarding debt diplomacy and potential strategic leverage that China could exert over
smaller nations in the region. The BRI's expansion is perceived as an effort to reshape regional
dynamics in favor of Chinese interests, prompting responses from QUAD members who seek to offer
alternative development models that emphasize transparency and sustainability (Blanchard & Fuchs,
2020).

Indo-Pacific Outlook of Bangladesh

Being a littoral State of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh considers the stability and prosperity in the
Indo-Pacific to be a crucial factor in realizing her “Vision 2041’, i.e. building a modern, knowledge-
based developed country by 2041. The Indo-Pacific area’s collective share in global GDP,
preponderance in international trade, enhanced climate action and growing technological dynamism
can be key determinants for ensuring Bangladesh’s long-term resilience and prosperity. Bangladesh,
therefore, envisions a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo- Pacific for the shared
prosperity for all.

Guiding Principles:
a. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s foreign policy dictum
‘Friendship towards all, malice toward none.’
b. Constitutional mandate on the conduct of international relations based on the principles of
respect for national sovereignty and equality, political independence, non-interference in
internal affairs, peaceful settlement of international disputes, as well as respect for
international law and the principles enunciated in the United Nations Charter; and striving for
renunciation of the use of force in international relations and for general and complete
disarmament.
c. Adherence to the relevant UN treaties and international conventions, as applicable, including
the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
d. Constructive regional and international cooperation for sustainable development, international
peace and security, humanitarian action, and fundamental rights and freedoms.
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Objectives:
Consistent with the above-mentioned principles, the following objectives will guide Bangladesh’s
Indo-Pacific outlook and engagements:

1. Strengthen mutual trust and respect, forge partnerships and cooperation, and promote
dialogue and understanding with the aim of ensuring peace, prosperity, security and stability
for all in the Indo-Pacific.
2. Strengthen existing mechanisms on maritime safety and security in the Indo-Pacific,
including response to emergencies at sea and conduct of search & rescue, and uphold the
exercise of freedom of navigation & over-flight, in accordance with international law and
relevant international conventions, including UNCLOS, 1982.
3. Maintain meaningful and value-driven contribution to international non-proliferation,
peacekeeping, peacebuilding and counter-terrorism efforts, including with partners in the
Indo-Pacific.
4. Support regional and international efforts towards combating transnational organized crimes
in the Indo-Pacific through both normative and practical actions.
5. Expand global lead on the flagship agenda of a ‘culture of peace’, enhance focus on the
‘women, peace and security’ agenda, promote interfaith harmony and work towards building
peaceful, just and inclusive societies in the Indo-Pacific.
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

How do major power rivalries in the Indo Pacific region influence

the geopolitical dynamic of Bangladesh?
Bangladesh, situated at a strategic juncture between South Asia and Southeast Asia, is increasingly
influenced by the major power rivalries in the Indo-Pacific region. As global powers like the United
States, China, India, and Japan assert their influence in the region, Bangladesh finds itself navigating
complex geopolitical dynamics that impact its foreign policy, economic development, and security
strategies. The following outlines the influence of these rivalries on Bangladesh:
First, Strategic Location. Bangladesh's geographical position near the Bay of Bengal makes it a
critical player in the competition between major powers like the United States, China, and India. This
location provides access to vital shipping routes and trade pathways, making it an attractive partner
for these nations.
Second, Economic Dependencies. The U.S. is Bangladesh's largest market for exports, particularly in
the ready-made garments sector, and a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI). This
economic relationship gives the U.S. leverage over Bangladesh's political decisions, especially
regarding human rights and democratic governance. Conversely, China has pledged substantial
investments in Bangladesh, primarily through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which includes
infrastructure projects worth around $60 billion. China is Bangladesh's largest trading partner,
contributing to critical infrastructure such as ports, bridges, and power plants. The Padma Bridge
project, for instance, is a testament to China’s involvement in the country’s development. This
economic dependency on China complicates Bangladesh's ability to navigate its foreign relations
independently. (Hossain & Rahman, 2019)
Third, Political Pressures. Bangladesh faces pressure from both the U.S. and China to align with their
respective geopolitical strategies. The U.S. has encouraged Bangladesh to join initiatives like the
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), while China has warned against joining alliances
perceived as anti-China, such as the Quad. The internal political landscape of Bangladesh,
characterized by tensions between the ruling Awami League and opposition parties, further
complicates its ability to respond to these external pressures effectively. (Chowdhury & Rahman,
2020)
Fourth, Security Concerns. The rivalry between the U.S. and China has implications for regional
security dynamics. Bangladesh's military cooperation with China, including arms purchases, positions
it within China's sphere of influence, while U.S. efforts to strengthen ties with Bangladesh aim to
counterbalance China's growing presence in South Asia. The ongoing issues in the Bay of Bengal,
such as maritime disputes and the Rohingya refugee crisis, also require Bangladesh to navigate its
relationships carefully to maintain regional stability. (Hossain & Rahman, 2019)

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