Abhishek Mishra
In a rapidly shifting world order, the Indo-Pacific has emerged as the epicenter of geopolitical recalibration. As the post-Cold War unipolar moment fades, the 21st century has witnessed a resurgence of multipolarity — a system where multiple state actors assert influence in regional and global affairs. Within this context, India’s foreign policy is undergoing significant transformations to align itself with the challenges and opportunities of the Indo-Pacific. This article explores how India is navigating this multipolar era and what strategic imperatives it must pursue to preserve its national interest and regional stability.
The Rise of the Indo-Pacific: A New Geopolitical Theatre
The term Indo-Pacific signifies more than just a geographic stretch from the eastern coast of Africa to the western shores of the Americas. It encapsulates a strategic imagination shaped by the overlapping interests of major powers — including the United States, China, Japan, Australia, and India — whose economic and security concerns are deeply entangled across this vast region.
This shift from the “Asia-Pacific” to the “Indo-Pacific” narrative underscores the increasing significance of the Indian Ocean in global geopolitics. Energy flows, maritime trade, critical sea lanes of communication, and naval presence have become central to the strategic calculus of many countries, placing the Indo-Pacific at the heart of global power politics.
Multipolarity and Strategic Flux
The decline of the unipolar world, once dominated by the United States, has led to a more
contested international order. China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, the Quad’s
revitalization, ASEAN’s balancing act, and Russia’s strategic recalibrations are all testaments
to the flux of multipolar dynamics. In this new paradigm, power is more diffused and
unpredictable. Consequently, India cannot afford a passive or reactive posture; instead, it
must proactively shape the emerging order.
India’s Strategic Imperatives
To engage effectively in a multipolar Indo-Pacific, India must embrace a multi-dimensional
strategy — one that balances diplomacy, defense, economics, and multilateral engagement.
The following strategic imperatives are central to this pursuit:
- Enhancing Maritime Security and Naval Presence:
With over 90% of India’s trade by volume passing through sea routes, maritime security is non-negotiable. Strengthening the Indian Navy, securing chokepoints like the Strait of Malacca, and increasing port-led development through initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) are critical. - Strengthening Strategic Partnerships:
India’s participation in groupings like the Quad (with the US, Japan, and Australia), IORA, and its engagement with ASEAN nations reflects a conscious effort to forge like-minded partnerships. These partnerships must be deepened through joint exercises, economic initiatives, and diplomatic outreach. - Balancing China and Promoting a Rules-Based Order:
While China’s presence in the Indo-Pacific is undeniable, India must push for a rules-based order that emphasizes sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and peaceful resolution of disputes. This includes standing firm in multilateral forums like the UN, and working through platforms like the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). - Technology and Infrastructure Diplomacy:
India must not lag in digital connectivity, green energy, and regional infrastructure projects. By offering alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India can assert soft power and promote development that is inclusive and sustainable. - Act East, Think Indo-Pacific:
The evolution of India’s Look East to Act East Policy must now expand to include the Indo Pacific construct. From trilateral dialogues to capacity building in island nations, India’s role as a regional net security provider must be matched with diplomatic agility.
Challenges on the Horizon
India’s strategic aspirations are not without challenges. Limited defense budgets, bureaucratic inertia, and uneven implementation of foreign policy goals often constrain outcomes. Additionally, managing complex relationships — such as those with Russia (a key defense partner) and the West (a growing strategic partner) — requires a delicate balancing act, especially amidst global tensions like the Ukraine conflict.
Moreover, India’s neighborhood remains fragile, with geopolitical fault lines in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. Domestic political stability, economic resilience, and technological innovation are also essential for India to project consistent strategic influence.
Conclusion: A Defining Decade Ahead
As the Indo-Pacific becomes the decisive arena of global geopolitics, India’s foreign policy choices will significantly shape the regional balance. The coming decade will be critical for India to transition from being a balancing power to a shaping power — one that contributes to peace, prosperity, and stability in a multipolar world.
India’s strategic imperatives must reflect clarity of vision, decisiveness in action, and adaptability to evolving power dynamics. A secure, stable, and inclusive Indo-Pacific is not just an external goal but integral to India’s own aspirations of becoming a leading global player.
About the contributor: Abhishek Mishra is a fellow at DFPGYF Diplomacy, Foreign Policy & Geopolitics Youth Fellow at IMPRI and has a keen interest in the Indo-Pacific and India’s strategic engagements in the region.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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Acknowledgment: This article was posted by Bhaktiba Jadeja, visiting researcher and assistant editor at IMPRI.
