India's growing defence partnerships and activities in the Indo-Pacific region are likely to intensify competition with China, according to a recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
The 11th edition of the IISS Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment (APRSA), released at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, highlighted India's emergence as a "preferred security partner" in the region. This role involves joint military exercises, arms transfers, and an increased regional presence that counters Beijing's influence. While India's defence focus remains on the Indian Ocean, it is actively expanding its presence in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
This expansion, the report suggests, will further contribute to the already competitive dynamic between India and China. India has notably stepped up maritime security partnerships in Southeast Asia, including regular naval deployments.
The APRSA report also underscored the broader competition between the United States and China for influence in the Asia-Pacific. While the US remains committed to addressing China's rise, conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have diverted some attention from policymakers in Washington. Nonetheless, taking a strong stance on China remains a bipartisan priority.
China's assertive actions on economic, military, and security matters have left its neighbors uneasy, even as they continue to rely on China's economic strength for prosperity. The report also noted that China is rapidly catching up to the US in terms of military exercises and cooperation with regional partners.
A significant concern highlighted in the report is the lack of communication between the US and China, two nuclear-armed powers, amidst heightened tensions and increased military interaction. Mismatched perceptions of crisis management and communication, coupled with regional mechanisms that only partially include both countries, further complicate the situation.
While numerous crisis-management mechanisms exist between China and regional countries, the report concludes that these have not yet brought stability to the Asia-Pacific.
