Allies in the Making: India’s Strategic Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific Strategy

Abstract

This research explores and analyzes India’s evolving strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the context of increasing Chinese assertiveness and global geopolitical shifts. The current geopolitical landscape, marked by Chinese activities along the Indian border, in the Taiwan Strait, and throughout the Indo-Pacific, underscores the urgent need for cooperation among like-minded nations on regional and global issues. Central to this study is examining the significant transformations in India’s foreign policy since the 1990s. This includes an analysis of the Look East Policy as India’s strategic response to the post-Cold War era, its evolution into the Act East Policy, and India’s emerging role on the international stage through active participation in the Indo-Pacific Strategy. These components collectively underscore India’s strategic realignment and its broader implications on regional dynamics and global diplomacy. Subsequently, the research delves into the burgeoning strategic collaboration between India and Taiwan, focusing on initiating strategic dialogues and progressing from democratic partners to crucial collaborators in constructing the Indo-Pacific supply chain. Furthermore, the research will analyze India’s strategic responses amid increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, exploring how it navigates the complex diplomatic and security challenges presented by its One China stance. This includes examining India’s maneuvers within the broader geopolitical framework of the region, highlighting its efforts to balance national security interests with diplomatic engagements.