MODI’S INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY: RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE LITTORAL INDIAN OCEAN STATES

Abstract

Indo-Pacific Ocean is a region of strategic importance, which attracts different nations to fulfil their national and international interests. India is keen on gaining an influential image in regional politics. In this context, India faces a significant challenge due to China's economic prosperity and regional political influence. Narendra Modi’s Indo-Pacific strategy is an adoption of a policy for countering the One Belt One Road (OBOR) mega-project of China. India is indulged in application of Waltz realistic approach for countering the Chinese Influence in the region. The researchers have examined the phenomenon through different lenses, looking into the lenses of multilateral cooperation and defense alliances, liberalization of trade and soft power politics, militarization and nuclear installation and deterrence in the Indian Ocean. However, Narendra Modi’s speech was delivered for peaceful trade and communication with the world for regional stability and collaboration in South Asian Nations. Moving forward, the gap is how Indian’s Strategy and adoption of Waltz realistic approach, the ‘offensive-defensive policy’, reconsider the dynamics of regional power politics and enhance the security dilemma by countering the influence of China in the region. India and the United States’ foreign policy reflects China’s trade and military presence, cordoning off the Indian Ocean, which they called the “String of Pearls”. The research paper adds to littoral state’s interest, impact of trade wars, regional powers’ strategies, Waltz realistic debates, and Modi’s ‘India’ policy decisions.