Looking Towards a Wider Indo-Pacific Strategy in the United States

The Indian government has concerns that the U.S. concept of Indo-Pacific security is overwhelmingly tilted towards Pacific security issues and has insufficient focus on Indian Ocean security threats. However, a recent report by the United States Department of Defense on China’s “Military and Security Developments” has a more robust review of China’s current and potential access to the Indian Ocean than we have seen elsewhere. As the United States looks to expand its security partnership with India, these examples of China’s growing military presence in the Indian Ocean must form the basis of practical cooperation to ensure the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy appeals to both Delhi and Washington, DC.Read More…