US Approach from Asia Pacific to Indo Pacific Region: A Comparative Study of Obama and Trump Era

Abstract

Asia Pacific region was increasingly becoming world’s strategic, geopolitical and economic centre of gravity in the 21st century. For United States, the objective of institutionalizing and structuring relationships in the Asia Pacific specifically was to ultimately create a more extensive network of partners in the region beyond traditional allies as a part of rebalancing strategy. The aim of this paper was to identify the significance of Indo Pacific region for US. The paper focused on Barack Obama’s ‘Pivot to Asia’ which elaborated the foundation of US-Asia relations that was already in place. Further, Donald Trump’s ‘Free and Open Indo Pacific’ was focussed, which highlighted on US’s commitment to expand its vison and value of free and open regional order. The research methodology includes in-depth and detailed historical, strategic, political and international issues pertaining to US policies towards the Indo Pacific region. Lastly, the focus was also given on comparing the rational for this policy shift by both the presidents. This study has indeed contributed towards the development of knowledge to fulfil and secure our understanding of US policies towards the region and to the changing dynamics of geopolitics.