The nomenclature Indo-Pacific as against Asia-Pacific was coined after a statement made by the then US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. US coined this terminology possibly due to the emerging geopolitics of the region and the emerging dynamics in the Indian Ocean with an imprint of the South China Sea (SCS). Thus far Chinese activism in the South China Sea was limited to disputes between ASEAN and China. While the U.S. remained preoccupied with GWOT (Global War on Terrorism), ISIS and now Ukraine, the Chinese economic and military might turn overbearing on smaller nations in the region. They largely obeyed the diktat of the Chinese without questioning its legitimacy, particularly on the issues of freedom of navigation and sovereignty of islands except for occasional grumbling. In the recent past, China has gone too far in exercising her claims to sovereignty by reclaiming over 2000 acres (8.1 sq km) in the SCS. China has exercised a slow and deliberate strategy of acquiring and building artificial islands, and maritime features by coercion and many times by force. Blockade of Taiwan from all sides and in a recent incident PLA Coast Guard ship ramming into a Philippines supply ship engaged in support operation within its own EEZ near Second Thomas Shoal has sent shockwaves amongst ASEAN armed forces.
China has built a 3000 Metres runway on the Fiery Cross Isle by reclaiming almost 1 sq km, giving her the ability to operate all types of aircraft IE Y 20 transport, J 10 and J 11 fighters from the Spratlys. The reclamation in the northern part of Spratlys has given China another 3.95 sq km reef which is adequate for a 3000 metre runway. This has provided her two long runways in north and south of Spratley, thus bolstering its ability to more stringent enforcements. vis a vis less capable nations of the ASEAN and curtailing the freedom of navigation of countries transiting in and out of SCS. This is a confrontationist challenge.
Bu hikaye Geopolitics dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Geopolitics dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Unending War In Ukraine
Is Russia's War in Ukraine following a script or it is lost in direction? RAVI SRIVASTAVA attempts to answer
THE NARCOTICS MENACE
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 2023 Annual Report, prepared in accordance with the international drug control treaties, examines the global drug control situation and makes recommendations to governments and regional and international organizations. It focuses on the role of the Internet, including social media, in JALLAL TOUFIQ, President of the INCB, explores the challenges and opportunities for drug control, prevention, and treatment in the era of the Internet, with a landscape of online drug
DEALING WITH THE DRAGON
Not Containing, but Countering China, in the Indo-Pacific is now the norm of all the leading countries of the region, writes CHINTAMANI MAHAPATRA
INDIA MUST RESUME NUCLEAR TESTING
India has to conduct open ended nuclear tests to secure a modicum of data, which will be infinitely more accurate than information derived from inertial confinement fusion facility (ICF) and supercomputer simulations.
ASYMMETRIC MARITIME THREATS & CHALLENGES
VENUGOPAL MENON explains why and how it is imperative to counter asymmetric threats in the maritime domain in India's area of interest
DRDO'S MPATGM
Indian Army gets more teeth for Anti-Tank Warfare, reports GIRISH LINGANNA
SMART AND LETHAL WEAPONS: THE PATH TO 2029
India must tread the path towards development of a whole gamut of next-generation smart and lethal weapons for countering a two-front threat scenario, argues AMARTYA SINHA
ROHDE & SCHWARZ EXPANDS FOOTPRINT IN INDIA BY OPENING NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY IN DELHI
In a strategic move to amplify its offerings and reinforce its market presence, Rohde & Schwarz India (RSINDIA), a subsidiary of the global technology group Rohde & Schwarz GmbH KG & Co, has officially inaugurated a new facility, aiming to significantly enhance its service offerings in the Indian market. The expansion heralds a pivotal moment in RSINDIA'S history, with its Managing Director, YATISH MOHAN, alongside key figures from the R&S Global Office including DR. ALEXANDER ORELLANO, Executive Vice President, and RALF WATAMANIUK, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, providing insights into the company's steady climb to prominence.
SUBMARINE-KILLER CAPABILITY: SMART MISSILE TESTED SUCCESSFULLY
The supersonic missile-assisted torpedo (SMART) system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was successfully test-launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha on May 1. The test confirmed velocity control, ejection, and symmetric separation.
India's space economy set to soar
India's burgeoning space economy could see a substantial increase in its global share by 2040. At present, India's space sector contributes a modest $8 billion to the overall cake. However, the government has set its sights on an ambitious target, aiming for a five-fold surge in India's share of the global space economy.
