India maintains strong ties with countries that will assure a free and open Indo-Pacific and guarantee greater connectivity with rest of the world. Analyze.

India's Vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

India's embrace of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) concept is rooted in its desire for an inclusive regional architecture that respects sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes. This vision is not directed against any single country but seeks to uphold a rules-based international order, particularly in the maritime domain. Key elements include:

• Freedom of Navigation and Overflight: Ensuring that crucial sea lanes remain open for global trade and energy resources.
• Respect for International Law: Adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is a cornerstone.
• Inclusivity: Engaging all nations in the geography, as well as others beyond who have a stake in the region.
• ASEAN Centrality: Recognizing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the core of the regional security architecture.

Strategic Partnerships for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

India has actively cultivated strategic partnerships to operationalize its FOIP vision:

1. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)

• Comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, the Quad is an informal strategic forum focused on promoting a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
• Objectives include upholding international law, freedom of navigation, and peaceful resolution of disputes.
• Beyond security, the Quad collaborates on critical and emerging technologies, climate change, health security, and infrastructure. For instance, the Quad Infrastructure Fellowship Program shares expertise in delivering quality infrastructure.

2. Bilateral Engagements with Key Partners

• Japan: A crucial partner, Japan and India issued the "India and Japan Vision 2025: Special Strategic and Global Partnership Working Together for Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region and the World" in 2015. Japan is a major contributor to India's infrastructure development, particularly in the Northeast, under the India-Japan Act East Forum.
• United States: Both countries share a "Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region" (2015), emphasizing common values and interests in the Indo-Pacific.
• Australia: India and Australia have elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with increasing cooperation on maritime security and regional stability.

3. Multilateral Forums

• India actively participates in forums like the East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to promote dialogue and cooperation on regional security and economic issues.

Enhancing Connectivity with the Rest of the World

Connectivity is a vital pillar of India's Indo-Pacific strategy, aiming to bolster trade, investment, and people-to-people ties. India's efforts in this domain are multifaceted:

1. Act East Policy (AEP)

The 'Act East Policy,' launched in 2014, is a significant upgrade from the 'Look East Policy' (1991). It emphasizes proactive engagement with Southeast Asian and East Asian countries across economic, strategic, cultural, and connectivity dimensions. Its four Cs are Culture, Commerce, Connectivity, and Capacity Building.

• Physical Connectivity:
  • India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway: A flagship project connecting Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar, aimed at boosting trade and tourism. Plans are underway to extend it to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
  • Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project: Connects Kolkata to Sittwe in Myanmar by sea, and then further by river and road to Mizoram in Northeast India, providing an alternative route for cargo.
  • Agartala-Akhaura Rail Link: The first rail link connecting North Eastern India and Bangladesh, enhancing cross-border trade and mobility.
  • Japan-India Connectivity: Japan supports major infrastructure projects in India's Northeast, including road networks (e.g., Shillong-Dawki, Tura-Dalu National Highways) and the Dhubri/Phulbari bridge, which is the longest river bridge in India. This collaboration seeks to link the region with ASEAN.
• Digital Connectivity:
  • India has proposed initiatives for high-capacity fiber optic networks and digital villages in remote areas to digitally intermesh India and ASEAN states.
  • Collaboration on 5G and cybersecurity with ASEAN is an emerging area.
• People-to-People Connectivity: Scholarship programs (e.g., 1000 PhD fellowships at IITs for ASEAN countries) and Quick Impact Projects in CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) countries foster deeper ties.

2. SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Vision

Announced in 2015, SAGAR is India's strategic maritime initiative focused on enhancing maritime security, promoting sustainable development, and fostering cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It positions India as a net security provider and emphasizes:

• Enhancing maritime domain awareness.
• Capacity building of littoral states.
• Promoting the Blue Economy and sustainable use of ocean resources.

The SAGAR vision has been expanded to include linkages with the broader Indo-Pacific region.

3. Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)

Launched in 2022 by the US and 13 other partner countries, including India, IPEF aims to strengthen economic engagement. India has joined three of its four pillars:

Pillar	Focus Area	India's Involvement
Pillar II	Supply Chain Resilience	Ensuring resilient and secure supply chains, minimizing disruptions. India is Vice Chair of the Supply Chain Council.
Pillar III	Clean Economy	Promoting clean energy, climate-friendly technologies, and decarbonization. India signed agreements to enhance cooperation in this sector (Sept 2024).
Pillar IV	Fair Economy	Strengthening anti-corruption efforts and advancing tax transparency. India signed agreements for a fair economy (Sept 2024).

While India maintains observer status in the Trade Pillar, its engagement in other pillars underscores its commitment to robust economic integration and governance in the Indo-Pacific.

4. Other Initiatives

• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): A multi-modal network connecting India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe, enhancing Eurasian connectivity.
• Chabahar Port (Iran): Developed by India, it provides a crucial transit route for India to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

These initiatives demonstrate India's concerted efforts to build physical, digital, and institutional linkages that support a free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring greater economic integration and regional stability.