MARITIME SECURITY IN INDO-PACIFIC:

ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Joseph Tertia1 and Anak Agung Banyu Perwita2

1
Research Assistant at School of International Relations, President University
Email: josephtertia@gmail.com
2
Professor in International Relations, School of International Relations, President University
Email: banyu@president.ac.id

ABSTRACT
This article elucidates the importance of Indo-Pacific in maritime security today. In the 21st century, the
region has gained the world’s attention due to dramatic growth of China’s economy, steady rise of India, the more
proactive regional countries, and the increasing oil exports to the region. With such importance, the region has
been contested with powerful nations, such as China, India, Australia, Japan, the Southeast Asia nations, and even
the United States. China’s increasing military presence in Indo-Pacific has been perceived as assertive by some of
the regional countries. Meanwhile, the United States has become a more prominent actor in the region since the
application of Rebalance policy in 2012. The paper discusses the issues, challenges and prospects of maritime
security in Indo Pacific.

Keywords: maritime security; maritime security cooperation; regional security; security dynamics; strategic
environment

ABSTRAK
Artikel ini menjelaskan arti penting Indo-Pasifik dalam keamanan maritim dewasa ini. Pada abad ke-21,
kawasan ini telah mendapat perhatian dunia karena pertumbuhan ekonomi China yang dramatis, bangkitnya
India, negara-negara regional yang lebih proaktif, dan meningkatnya ekspor minyak ke wilayah ini. Arti penting
kawasan ini telah diperebutkan dengan negara-negara kuat, seperti China, India, Australia, Jepang, negara-
negara Asia Tenggara, dan bahkan Amerika Serikat. Kehadiran militer China yang meningkat di Indo-Pasifik
telah dipandang secara serius oleh beberapa negara regional. Sementara itu, Amerika Serikat telah menjadi aktor
yang lebih menonjol di kawasan ini sejak penerapan kebijakan Rebalance pada tahun 2012. Makalah ini
membahas masalah, tantangan dan prospek keamanan maritim di Indo Pasifik.

Kata Kunci: keamanan maritim; kerjasama keamanan maritim; keamanan regional; dinamika keamanan;
strategi lingkungan

Introduction the intersection of international trade, with

around 32.2 million barrels of crude oil pass
The Indo-Pacific region stretches from through annually and 40% of global exports come
the east part of Indian Ocean to the west Pacific from the region. With such importance, the
Ocean and connected by Strait of Malacca. Indo- region has been contested with powerful nations,
Pacific has become the central area for maritime such as China, India, Australia, Japan, the
geopolitics, security, trade, and environment Southeast Asia nations, and even the United
activities.1 The Indo-Pacific region also stands at States.

1
David Michel and R. Passarelli, Sea Change: Region (pp. 11-17). Washington DC: Stimson Center.
Evolving Maritime Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific 2014.
 Figure 1. Map of Indo-Pacific.

Power competition between Beijing and security operations across the Indo-Pacific.
Washington have been driving the security Meanwhile other regional countries, such as
dynamics of Indo-Pacific. Throughout the years, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, and
China has been increasing the military budget to Pakistan are also increasing their maritime reach
modernize the military technology and its to secure the SLOCs and to exploit more
capacity on the denial strategy. China’s resources. Not to mention the emergence of non-
assertiveness in the South China Sea has caused traditional threats in the sea, such as piracy,
border disputes with the Southeast Asian nations, maritime terrorism, illegal trafficking, and
and eventually it draws the attention of the United environmental degradation. The many issues of
States. Meanwhile, the United States has also maritime security have then shaped the security
increased the frequency of regional cooperation dynamics in Indo-Pacific region.
with Japan, Australia, ROK, New Zealand, India,
The paper discusses the issues,
and the Southeast Asian nations under the
challenges and prospects of maritime security in
Rebalance policy. Whereas, the United States
Indo Pacific. The analysis in this paper is divided
applies deterrence approach to address DPRK’s
into several sections. The first section elaborated
weapons of mass destruction (WMD) activities
the maritime disputes in the region. It then
and China’s increasing military capability. 2
followed by the discussions on the role of major
The increased sea-borne activity has also actors, namely China, the United States, and
raised new maritime security challenges in the India. It also highlights the issue of non-
region. Ensuing maritime disputes in East and traditional threats in the Indo Pacific. This paper
South China Seas are increasing the security risks argues that maritime security is the most
of sea lines of communications (SLOCs) important aspect in the shaping of security
protection. In the Indian Ocean, China and India architecture in Indo-Pacific. Therefore, many
are flexing their naval forces, which have nation states are using the maritime security
increased animosity towards each other. At the cooperation framework in translating their power
same time, the Rebalance policy has enabled the approaches in the region.
United States to conduct various maritime

2
S. Cheney-Peters, US Maritime Security Relations for Enhanced Operation. In David Michel and R.
and Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific: Opportunities Passarelli (pp. 31-44). 2014.
Maritime Security Cooperation: The as a tool for achieving national security.
Framework Seapower in maritime security also discuss how
nation states operate their navies outside their
British maritime thinker, Geoffrey Till, territorial waters. The naval power projection of
describes maritime security concept as good states for warfare means, to secure the SLOCs,
order at the sea, where seaborne trade which and to increase the awareness of a states’
contributes to many states logistic needs have to presence in international waters are the core
be protected from any kinds of risks and threats. purpose of traditional maritime security.
However, the concept of good order at the sea Protecting the SLOCs also include search and
lacks the discussion by whose standard is it that rescue, preventing oil spills in in ocean,
order at sea be considered good. It then continues regulation of maritime installations, and counter
on to the conception of peaceful use of the seas operations against piracy and terrorism.
regulated by UN Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS). Nation states may refer their As mentioned before, the aims of
maritime boundaries to UNCLOS, however maritime security is also to protect the SLOCs,
nation states which seeks maritime supremacy either for trade shipping lines, gathering natural
will tend to ignore UNCLOS. Strong maritime sea resources, and other sea-based activities.
nations then derived their strategic thinking from Thus beyond traditional notion, maritime security
sea power concept by Alfred T. Mahan which addresses the strategy in managing maritime
explained as following: economy or ‘blue economy’. Blue economy uses
maritime security to create a safe maritime
“Control of the sea by maritime commerce and environment both through laws and regulations,
naval supremacy means predominant influence in and the management of marine resources. The
the world… is the chief among the merely management of blue economy links with another
material elements in the power and prosperity of dimension in maritime security, which is human
nations” (Alfred Thayer Mahan, 1918 ) security. The humanity in maritime security
To Christian Bueger, maritime security relates with humanitarian actions /disaster reliefs,
extends beyond traditional dimension. Maritime food security through protecting fishery industry
security connects several issues through existing from Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU)
concepts of security, and adapts with emerging fishing, and also protection of marine
temporary issues. Bueger still considers the environment.
concept of seapower, especially the naval forces

Figure 2. Maritime Security Matrix by Christian Bueger (2015)

 The writers combined the concept of cooperation activities that will enable them to
maritime security with security cooperation create an inclusive-relations, which eventually
framework to define the concept of maritime become the foundation for multilateral security
security cooperation. David Dewitt explained that frameworks. In terms of maritime security,
security cooperation attributed the element of security cooperation serves as bridge that
security should be designed towards connects maritime security understanding of one
‘reassurance’ rather than ‘deterrence’ to establish state to the others. The inclusiveness of security
a favourable security order where multilateral cooperation would enable nation states to become
frameworks could be developed3. In this context, more involved to cooperate in common areas of
security relations would still be relevant in maritime security despite the geopolitical
facilitating nation states to converge their restraints. Chris Rahman explained that maritime
common national interests and minimizing a security cooperation has a comprehensive
zero-sum security dilemma condition4. Two or approach to address the growing contemporary
more states that have common perception toward maritime security issues7. In Indo-Pacific, for
certain adversaries then might engage in a example, where maritime security issues continue
security cooperation framework. This concept to grow due to domestic political differences,
also recognizes the existing balance of power maritime security cooperation offers a platform
order in determining how the cooperative security for regional states to communicate based on their
manners could contribute to the regional or global commonalities to protect the regional SLOCs.
security system5. In a multipolar order, small to However, to establish effective maritime security
middle power states will play a major role in cooperation, it is needed to set up the spectrum of
creating cooperative security system6. maritime security activities which are deemed as
inclusive.
To establish such cooperative security,
nation states must first engage in security

Figure 3. Claims over South China Sea.

Source: National Public Radio, 2016

Source: National
Public Radio, 2016

3 6
David Dewitt, Common, Comprehensive, and Michael Moodie, Cooperative Security: Implications
Cooperative Security. The Pacific Review 7, 1-15. for National Security and International Relations.
1994. Albuquerque: Sandia National Laboratories. 2000.
4 7
Ibid. C. Rahman, Concepts of Maritime Security: A
5
Gregory J. Dyekman, Security Cooperation: A Key Strategic Perspective on Alternative Visions for Good
to the Challenges of the 21st Century. Washington Order and Security at Sea, with Policy Implications
DC: Strategic Studies Institute. 2007. for New Zealand. Wellington: Victoria University.
2009.
The Issue of Maritime Disputes with its nine-dash line that covers most of the
region. China’s unilateral claim has then sparked
There are several maritime areas which disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia,
have been contested the most across the Indo- and Indonesia.10 The confusing sea territory claim
Pacific, namely the East China Sea, South China has also caused SLOCs insecurity in South China
Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Although there have Sea, which put every country at risk.
never been any direct military conflict in those
areas, however those areas are the sources for
rising the security risks in the region. The
contestation of those areas is caused mainly by
the different security needs of the regional
countries. Moreover, those areas hold significant
geostrategic importance, thus the disputes have
been a complex matter in Indo-Pacific maritime
security.

South China Sea

South China Sea is in the northwest part

of Southeast Asia, bordered by most of the
Southeast Asian countries and China. Paracel
Islands, Spratly Islands, Scaraborough Shoal,
Natuna Islands, and Macclesfield Bank are
forming the major islands and reefs in the region.
South China Sea has a strategic location for
global shipping trade, with around USD3.37
trillion trade values passed through in 2016.8 The
Strait of Malacca serves as the doorway to South
China Sea and has been dubbed as the second-
busiest oil shipping lines after Strait of Hormuz.9
The Indo-Pacific countries have been relying on
the aforementioned economic values of South
China Sea.

Holding such strategic importance and

surrounded by China and the Southeast Asian
nations, South China Sea is embroiled with
regional maritime disputes. It is claimed by
Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and China as
seen in Figure 3. The most notable claim is China

8
China Power Team. How Much Trade Transits the https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=32
South China Sea?. China Power. October 2, 2017. 452.
10
Accessed December 8, 2017. CFR. Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea.
https://chinapower.csis.org/much-trade-transits- Council on Foreign Relations. Updated December 7,
south-china-sea/ 2017. Accessed December 8, 2017.
9
Villar & Hamilton. The Strait of Mlacca, a Key Oil https://www.cfr.org/interactives/global-conflict-
Trade Chokepoint, Links the Indian and Pacific tracker#!/conflict/territorial-disputes-in-the-south-
Oceans. EIA. August 11, 2017. Accesed December 8, china-sea
2017
 Figure 4. The Senkaku/Diayou Islands dispute.

Source: Oil&Gas Financial Journal, 2015

China’s unilateral actions in the region The East China Sea region continues the shipping
have been the main concern in the disputes. China lines from South China Sea, making the region to
is building artificial islands across South China be strategically important. Natural resources,
Sea to further expand its naval presence, while fisheries, and oil and natural gas deposits are also
also began exploiting the natural resources reportedly found in the region. The most notable
within.11 Vietnam and Philippines which face maritime dispute in East China Sea is the
directly with China’s nine-dash line have then Senkaku/Diayou Islands dispute. The
increased sea patrols and coast guard activities to Senkaku/Diayou Islands is located in southeast of
monitor and, if necessary, respond to any Chinese Japan and at the southwestern tip of China. Both
intrusion in their territories. Philippines even China and Japan claim the rights over the region
filed international arbitration case against China within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 200
which the Philippines won in 2016. China has nautical miles. Japan has been managing the
rejected the result of the tribunal and continued islands since 1895; however, China reclaimed the
its maritime activities.12 Although there has not region by citing the historic rights over the area.14
been any major standoff lately, however the Senkaku/Diayou Islands is strategically located
territorial maritime dispute still has the potential overlooking the South China Sea, which would
to resurface and disturb the regional stability. provide SLOCs security for both China and
Japan. In 2012, Japan officially nationalized the
East China Sea islands in which China replied in the following
The East China Sea is home to the major year by declaring air defense identification zone
economic powerhouse of Asia, namely China, (ADIZ) covering most of the region.15 Tensions
Japan, and ROK. The three countries comprise peaked between China and Japan, with each
around 23% of total world’s GDP as of 2016.13

11
Since 2013 until now, China has built around 3,200 https://www.cfr.org/councilofcouncils/global_memos
acres of land divided into seven islands in South China /p38227.
Sea. (CSIS. Island Tracker: China. AMTI CSIS. 13
Data taken from the World Bank’s GDP Database
December 13, 2016. Accessed December 8, 2017. 2016.
14
https://amti.csis.org/island-tracker/chinese-occupied- CFR. Tensions in East China Sea. Council on
features/) Foreign Relations. Updated December 8, 2017.
12
Euan Graham. The Hague Tribunal’s South China Accessed December 9, 2017.
Sea Ruling: Empty Provocation or Slow-Burning https://www.cfr.org/interactives/global-conflict-
Influence? Council on Foreign Relations. August 18, tracker#!/conflict/tensions-in-the-east-china-sea
15
2016. Accessed December 8, 2017. Ibid.
state’s military flexing at one another in the
region.

Figure 4. Indian Ocean trade route.

Source: Harvard World Map, 2014

Indian Ocean countries contesting the region, Indian Ocean’s

stability is being rattled.
The territory of Indian Ocean stretches
from the Arabian Sea, south India’s coastal At the heart of the Indian Ocean is India,
waters, until the Bay of Bengal near the entrance which shares maritime border with its seven
of Strait of Malacca. As seen in Figure 4, the neighbors. According to the India’s maritime
Indian Ocean provides an important international papers, India has settled maritime boundaries
shipping route. Oman, Yemen, Somalia, India, with all neighboring countries, except Pakistan.18
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India and Pakistan have long history of border
Indonesia are the littoral states surrounding the disputes, and one of which is the Sir Creek
Indian Ocean. However Chinese boats is often maritime dispute.19 However, compared to the
found roaming the area through Pakistan and Sri Kashmir border standoff, Sir Creek dispute is not
Lanka16, so does the United States navy which big as a problem. Alas, India and Pakistan
annually held joint maritime exercise with geopolitical rivalry has the potential to trigger a
India.17 With the strategic importance and the maritime dispute in Indian Ocean.

16
Jayana Krupakar. China’s Naval Base(s) in the 18
India Ministry of Defence, Ensuring Secure Seas:
Indian Ocean – Signs of a Maritime Grand Strategy? Indian Maritime Security Strategy . New Delhi: India
Strategic Analysis, Vol. 41, Issue 3. pg 207-222. 2017 Navy. 2015.
17 19
Malabar Exercise was a bilateral maritime exercise Sir Creek is a 96 kilometers water strip separating the
between the United States and India which began in southern part of Pakistan from western India in
1992. (Shankar IAS Academy. (2017). Malabar Gujarat. (Hasan Ansari & Ravi Vohra, Confidence
Exercise 2017. Chennai: IAS Parliament.) Building Measures at Sea: Opportunities for India and
Pakistan. Alberqueque: Sandia National Laboratories.
2003.)
China’s growing presence is currently the focus former is economic-driven, while the latter is
of discussion in Indian Ocean maritime security. more political – however they have a common
India worries over the number of Chinese interest, which is to ensure weak states remain
warships and even the nuclear-capable corrupt and vulnerable. Human smuggling and
submarines roaming in the Indian Ocean. drug trafficking are also common transnational
Although Chinese officials stated that its naval crimes found in Indo-Pacific. Drugs produced in
activities are to protect the shipping lines from Afghanistan, India, and Indonesia is distributed
piracy and such threats, however there are by sea to other countries through illegal markets.
speculations saying China is asserting maritime Moreover hundreds of percent profit margins are
dominance across Asia.20 India through the Act often used to fund other illegal activities such as
East policy is also increasing maritime control in terrorism and piracy. Strong link between the
Indian Ocean and even seeking engagement in transnational crimes, piracy, and terrorism has
South China Sea.21 As both states are emerging advanced the complexity of non-traditional
global powers with shared border, they see each maritime threats in Indo-Pacific. Plus, drug
other as regional rivals. trafficking and human smuggling are not dealt
efficiently due to lack of counter measurement by
The Issue of Non-traditional Maritime the coast guards or port security facility.
Threats Seaborne economic activities, such as oil transfer
The most common non-traditional and offshore drillings, fishing, and cruise ship
maritime threat is piracy. Piracy used to be a movements have the potential to damage the
surrounding marine environment. Major oil spills
major threat in Strait of Malacca, however
multilateral engagement has been successful in to the sea would affect the sea ecology and
eliminating the danger. Then starting in 2005, eventually killed many marine species. Illegal
Somali pirates began roaming the Indian Ocean fishing that often use explosives and cruise ships
with modern equipment which enable them to are prone to endanger the coral reefs that harbor
operate in the range of 1,500 nautical miles from marine biodiversity. While the damage is
Somali coastline. Moreover, the Somali pirates threatening to marine ecology, such sea accidents
are also linked to terrorist organization such as may also disturb SLOCs, thus should be
Al-Qaeda and Al Shabab. Maritime terrorism considered as common maritime threats,
began to be taken as serious threats after the 26/11 especially in busy waterway of Indo-Pacific.
Mumbai attacks which killed 160 people. The Challenges of China Maritime Expansion
Maritime terrorist evolve from using the ship in Indo-Pacific
lines as supply chain to conduct terror attacks
towards ships and vessels to send political China views its security environment in
message. Philippines-based terror group, Abu Indo-Pacific as generally peaceful. However,
Sayyaf which pledged allegiance to ISIS, has China addressed the United States’ Rebalance
been conducting strikes to cargo ships in Sulu Sea and Japan’s security policies as potential
and abducting hostages. Although piracy and disturbance to the regional stability.22 In the
maritime terrorism aim different targets – the South China Sea issue, the 2017 China’s Asia-

20
David Scott. Chinese Maritime Strategy for the 21
Amrita Jash, South China Sea in India’s Strategic
Indian Ocean. Center for International Maritime Gambit: Interests and Policies. Brussels: SADF
Security. November 28, 2017. Accessed December 9, Focus. 2016.
2017. http://cimsec.org/chinese-maritime-strategy- 22
Xinhua. Full Text: China’s Military Strategy. Full
indian-ocean/34771 Text: China’s Military Strategy. The Information
Office of the State Council. May 26, 2015. Accessed
December 9, 2017.
Pacific Security Cooperation Policies stated that The most notable Chinese naval strategy
China will cooperate in negotiating the CoC. is the A2/AD which started to be developed in
However, China still claims sovereignity over 1990s. The A2/AD strategy includes
South China Sea, though it does not mention any development to carry out preemptive attacks at
reference on the nine-dash line.23 China long ranges to any adversary forces within the
acknowledges that its expanding national interest range of western Pacific Ocean in the air and
causes its national security to be more vulnerable maritime area.26 China’s coastal defense cruise
to geopolitical turmoil, thus China needs a strong missiles, submarines, and naval mines enable the
military. China is developing a “two ocean” PLAN to target any adversary entering the
strategy in order to expand its naval operations to Chinese territorial water. Moreover, the PLAN
reach the Indian Ocean.24 This strategy will South Sea Fleet whose area of responsibility is in
change Chinese Navy capability from only the South China Sea, has been equipped with
conducting far seas operations to actually project anti-aircraft destroyers which would cover air
its naval force to protect far seas maritime assets. defense system in the A2/AD. Thus the A2/AD
China is currently expanding its maritime strategy will protect China’s territory during
dominance beyond the East and South China wartime, and secure the SLOCs for economic
Seas.25 Thus, the maritime strategy has increased purposes during peacetime.27
Chinese naval presence in Indo-Pacific,
especially in Indian Ocean, in order to take a
larger role in 2017.

Figure 6. The PLAN routes in Indo-Pacific.

Source: DPG Conference Report, 2016

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2015- the Belt and Road Initiative. The State Council of the
05/26/c_134271001_2.htm People’s Republic of China. June 20, 2017. Accessed
23
Xinhua. Full text: China’s Policies on Asia-Pacific December 9, 2017.
Security Cooperation. The Information Office of the http://english.gov.cn/archive/publications/2017/06/20
State Council. January 11, 2017. Accessed December /content_281475691873460.htm
25
10, 2017. Jayana Krupakar. pg 207-222. 2017
26
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2017- Si-fu Ou, China's A2AD and Its Geographic
01/11/c_135973695.htm Perspective. Asia Pacific Research Forum, 81-124.
24
The State Council of the People's Republic of China. 2014.
27
Full text of the Vision for Maritime Cooperation under Ibid.
From Figure 6, China is seeking to project its The following are the list of Chinese maritime
naval forces through the nine exits across the assertive actions in Indo-Pacific.
Indo-Pacific. However in its expansion, the
PLAN’s activities are perceived as assertive by
the regional countries.

Table 1. Chinese maritime activities which sparked tensions with the regional countries.
Maritime Chinese actions Time of Description
region occurrence
East China Implementation of ADIZ Since 2013 ADIZ has enabled Chinese aircraft to intrude
Sea Japan’s airspace. Since then, Japan has
intercepted Chinese aircrafts 664 times in
2016, the most since Cold War.28
Claims on Since 1970s China insists on claiming the Senkaku/Diayou
Senkaku/Diayou Islands Islands in its latest white paper. To assert its
claim, the PLAN has conducted military drills
near the territory.
South China Cable-cutting Vietnamese 2011-2012 Vietnamese oil vessels explored to Chinese-
Sea29 oil vessels claimed sea territory, which then China
replied by disturbing the activity through
cutting the cables.
PLAN accompanying 2012 China’s fishing boats involved in stand-off
fishing boats in with Philippines coast guard. The following
Scaraborough Shoal days, the PLAN was stationed near the border.
China-Philippines relations have been tense
since then.
Intervention against Since 2013 Chinese vessels blocked Philippines supply
Philippines boats in boats that deliver supply to the marines there.
Second Thomas Shoal As of right now,
Chinese vessels still patrolling the area.
Chinese oil rig vessels 2014 China deployed oil rig vessels that were
and coast guards in accompanied by 80 coast guards inside
Paracel Islands Vietnam’s water in Paracel Islands.
Land reclamation and Since 2014 South Sea Fleet of the PLAN has been
military outposts patrolling the area with the help of military
outposts scattered in the artificial islands
across the region.
Indian Ocean PLAN warships and Since 2017 Chinese cruise missile destroyers Haikou and
submarines in eastern Changsa were spotted in anti-piracy missions
Indian Ocean and combat drills on February 2017.30
PLAN military drills in Since 2017 Chinese vessels were also spotted in western
western Indian Ocean Indian Ocean conducting combat test to strike
potential threat, however Chinese officials did
not define who or what is the threat.31

28 Clay Dillow. Military Nightmare Scenario Brewing in the East China Sea. CNBC. April 4, 2017. Accessed December 8,
2017. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/04/world-war-iii-nightmare-scenario-brewing-in-the-east-china-sea.html
29 Richard Q. Turscanyi, Chinese Assertiveness in the South China Sea: Power Sources, Domestic Politics, and Reactive

Foreign Policy. Prague: Springer International Publishing. 2017.

30 Rajat Pandit. Amid Border Stand-Off, Chinese Ships on Prowl in Indian Ocean. The Times of India. July 4, 2017. Accessed

December 11, 2017. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amid-border-stand-off-chinese-ships-on-prowl-in-indian-

ocean/articleshow/59432702.cms
31 Teddy Ng and Shi Jiangtao. Chinese Navy’s Live-Fire Drill may be Warning Shot to India Amid Ongoing Doklam Stand-

Off. South China Morning Post. August 26, 2017. Accessed December 11, 2017. http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-
defence/article/2108410/chinese-navys-live-fire-drill-may-be-warning-shot-india
Source: CSIS, AMTI, and individual researches. In its 2015 maritime security strategy
paper, Ensuring Secure Seas, India is focusing on
In the Indian Ocean, Chinese maritime naval power to control the SLOCs and
presence is supported by ports in foreign chokepoints across the Indian Ocean.33 In
countries. Through the Maritime Silk Road, protecting the SLOCs, India seeks cooperation
China built a deep-water port in Kyauk Pu, with the United States, Japan, Australia, and
Myanmar and in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. Indonesia which are considered as maritime
Recently, China has also opened its first overseas powers. India also seeks to upgrade the naval
military base in Djibouti. However China’s major facility in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which
entry point is in Gwadar Port, Pakistan, which is later become India’s naval outpost to reach
part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Southeast Asia and beyond to the Pacific. In the
(CPEC). Starting in 2017, the PLAN will use western part of Indian Ocean, the Karwar port –
Gwadar Port as naval base for the next 40 years.32 India’s largest naval base – serves as command
The ports and military overseas base would boost post to counter and deny any threats from the
the PLAN’s presence in the Indian Ocean. Arabian Sea, with specific threat from Pakistan.34
India as Emerging Power in Indo-Pacific Therefore, India is able to protect its territory
from the west while expanding its reach to the
Facing directly towards Indian Ocean, east. However, India primary concern is China’s
India has become a prominent actor in Indo- maritime expansion in the Indian Ocean. As
Pacific. India’s ‘Look East’ policy which was mentioned previously, China’s ports in several
introduced in 1990s has expanded India’s Indian Ocean states are enabling the PLAN to
strategic engagement to the Southeast and East roam freely in Indian Ocean. In the 2015
Asian countries. Over the years, India’s maritime security strategy paper, India worries
engagement in the region transcended from over the PLAN activities that potentially disturb
economic relations to security. Prime Minister the freedom of navigation and SLOCs of Indian
Narendra Modi’s ‘Act East’ policy has Ocean, based on its assertiveness in South China
strengthened India’s approach in Indo-Pacific, in Sea.35 The Act East policy also indicates India’s
which the Act East will increase India’s willingness to suppress China’s maritime
involvement through strategic partnerships. The influence in the region. India has also started to
Act East policy also reassures India’s engage the South China Sea imbroglio by
commitment to protect the SLOCs of Indian providing naval equipment to Vietnam and
Ocean for every littoral state to use. multilateral military platforms such as the
MILAN Exercise.36

32 35
David Scott. Chinese Maritime Strategy for the Satu Limaye, Weighted West, Focused on the Indian
Indian Ocean. Center for International Maritime Ocean and Cooperating across the Indo-Pacific: The
Security. November 28, 2017. Accessed December 9, Indian Navy's New Maritime Strategy, Capabilities,
2017. http://cimsec.org/chinese-maritime-strategy- and Diplomacy Arlington: CNA Analysis and
indian-ocean/34771 Solutions. 2017.
33 36
India Ministry of Defence, Ensuring Secure Seas: Ramanand Garge, Maritime Outreach as Part of
Indian Maritime Security Strategy (pp. 9-10). New India’s ‘Act East’ Policy. Australian Journal of
Delhi: Indian Navy. 2015. Maritime & Ocean Affairs 9, Issue 3, 150-167. 2017..
34
Balaji Chandramohan, India’s Evolving Maritime
Security Strategy and Force Posture. Perth: Future
Directions International. 2016.
 Figure 7. The United States military troops in Indo-Pacific.

Source: CSIS, 2016.

The role of a strong navy as stated in The Future Role of the United States in Indo-
2015 maritime security strategy paper is Pacific
efficiently adapted to the Act East policy as a
strategic diplomatic tool. Since 2015 the bilateral The United States foreign and defense
Malabar Exercise between the United States and policy in Indo-Pacific have evolved over the
India has become a trilateral form which includes years. Through the United States Pacific
Japan as permanent member.37 Welcoming the Command (PACOM) stationed in Hawaii and
framework of “free and open” Indo-Pacific, India military bases in Australia, Japan, ROK, Guam,
has also enhanced the maritime partnership with and Diego Garcia in Indian Ocean, the United
Japan. Prior to ASEAN and East Asia summits in States has maintained its presence in the region.39
November 2017, India with the United States, The United States alliance agreement with Japan,
Australia, and Japan held a discussion that Australia, ROK, Singapore, Thailand, and the
indicates forming of a quadrilateral security Philippines remain as the foundation of strategic
relation in Indo-Pacific, which subsequently to actions in Indo-Pacific. Engagement with India as
contain China’s maritime assertiveness in South the emerging power has also strengthened the
China Sea.38 United States’ presence, especially in observing
the Indian Ocean.40 The holistic regional
approach is deemed requisite in preserving the
American dominance in Indo-Pacific.
Previously known as “the pivot to Asia,”
the Rebalance policy has aimed to shift the
United States’ focus to the region. Through the

37 39
Ibid. USPACOM, United States Pacific Command
38
Harsh V. Pant. Take Note: Asia’s Quad is Back. The (USPACOM) Guidance. Washington DC: Department
Diplomat. November 10, 2017. Accessed December of Defense. 2016.
40
13, 2017. https://thediplomat.com/2017/11/take-note- Vivek Mishra, US Power and Influence in the Asia-
asias-quad-is-back/ Pacific Region: The Decline of ‘Alliance Mutuality’.
Strategic Analysis 40, Issue 3, 159-172. 2016.
Rebalance policy, the United States plan to post remains strong. Under President Trump’s
60% of the naval and overseas air assets in the administration, the United States redefine the
Pacific region by 2020.41 China is undoubtedly region as ‘Indo-Pacific’ to indicate an idea of
the biggest factor in Rebalance policy. China’s “India to the west, and America to the East.”45 By
expansion presents the primary strategic addressing the region as Indo-Pacific and forging
challenge to the United States’ security in Indo- enhanced security cooperation with India,
Pacific. Chinese assertive maritime behavior – in President Trump continues the Rebalance aim of
East and South China Seas – has resulted in the containing China’s expanding influence.
United States to prepare a strategy to counter
Chinese military actions, especially against Through its latest 2017 National Security
China’s A2/AD strategy.42 Strategy, the United States called for a “free and
open Indo-Pacific,” a term previously used by
The Rebalance policy also realizes the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to unveil Japan’s
growing geostrategic importance of the region, maritime strategy.46 The free and open Indo-
and has increased the approach to security and Pacific called for the creation of regional
diplomatic relations with regional countries. The democracy platform that will protect the maritime
United States continued to engage through joint commons from the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
naval operations and exercises with Japan, ROK, Prime Minister Abe has been the vocal figure in
Australia, Philippines, and India. The United involving Australia, India, and the United States
States has also committed USD140 million in to form quadrilateral security relations. The
2016 for maritime capacity building assistance to National Security Strategy 2017 has also stated to
increase the regional countries capability in increase the quadrilateral relations with Australia,
securing the SLOCs and resolving maritime Japan, and India; additionally the United States
disputes.43 As tensions rise in Indo-Pacific will expand security cooperation with India.47
maritime security, the United States remain With the four countries entering quadrilateral
engaged with the multilateral mechanism such as dialogue, President Trump’s administration may
the ASEAN Defense Minister Meeting Plus be able to shift the geopolitical construct of Indo-
(ADMM-Plus), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Pacific.
the Shangri-La Dialogue, and conducted the
largest naval exercise in the world, the Rim of the Conclusion
Pacific (RIMPAC) which include China. As Indo-Pacific becomes the center of
However, the election of President Donald global economic activities, geopolitics, and
Trump in 2017 has been speculated to bring a
security dynamics, the region needs a
different Indo-Pacific approach. The United comprehensive maritime security cooperation.
States’ commitment in the region was questioned The regional maritime security cooperation is
when President Trump decided to withdrew from needed to preserve the increasing seaborne
the TPP.44 However beyond the trade policy, the activity and to maintain SLOCs stability. China’s
United States’ security policy in Indo-Pacific expanding maritime influence, emergence of

41
The United States Department of Defense, The Asia- https://thediplomat.com/2017/01/what-trumps-tpp-
Pacific Maritime Security Strategy: Achieving U.S. withdrawal-means-for-us-asia-policy
National Security Objectives in a Changing 45
C. Raja Mohan, Donald Trump’s ‘Indo-Pacific’ and
Environment. Washington DC: Department of America’s India Conundrum. ISAS Insights, No. 476.
Defense. 2015. 2017.
42 46
Ibid. pg. 10-19. Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Priority Policy
43
Kathleen Hicks, Mark F. Cancian, and Michael for Development Cooperation FY 2017. Tokyo:
Green. (pp. 70). 2016. International Cooperation Bureau. 2017.
44
Prashanth Parameswaran. What Trump’s TPP 47
SEAL of the President of the United States, National
Withdrawal Means for US Asia Policy. The Diplomat. Security Strategy of the United States of America.
January 24, 2017. Accessed December 13, 2017. Washington DC: The White House. 2017.
India as regional power, the United States Indo- conflict-tracker#!/conflict/territorial-disputes-
Pacific approach, and the regional non-traditional in-the-south-china-sea
maritime issues have become the core discussions
in Indo-Pacific maritime security. East and South China Power Team. How much trade transits the
South China Sea? China Power. August 2,
China Seas disputes have raised the risks in the
2017. Updated October 27, 2017. Accessed
region. Indian Ocean SLOCs stability also needs December 8, 2017.
to be managed, as the waterway has become the https://chinapower.csis.org/much-trade-
busiest sea lines in the world. A “free and open” transits-south-china-sea/
Indo-Pacific implied by the quadrilateral
Australia, India, Japan, and the United States CSIS. Island Tracker: China. AMTI CSIS.
should be treated carefully. The quad countries December 13, 2016. Accessed December 8,
2017. https://amti.csis.org/island-
seem to agree on common strategic problem in
tracker/chinese-occupied-features/
Indo-Pacific, which is China’s maritime
expansion. China on the other hand, has become Dewitt, David. (1994). Common,
an important partner for the region in terms of Comprehensive, and Cooperative Security.
maritime trade and investment; however its naval The Pacific Review, Vol. 7.
presence is still not quite welcomed by some
regional countries. Working closely with the Dillow, Clay. Military Nightmare Scenario
Chinese military while maintaining the Brewing in the East China Sea. CNBC. April
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avoid direct armed conflicts. Conducting capacity https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/04/world-
building such as joint training, ports visit, war-iii-nightmare-scenario-brewing-in-the-
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Dyekman, Gregory J.. (2007). Security
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