Topic: Indo-Pacific

With perceptions of a relative decline in American influence in the region taking ground, a growing strategic dilemma in Southeast Asia sets in.

While delivering the 49th Sapru House Lecture, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who was in New Delhi for a 3-day visit, called India an important pole in an emerging multi-polar world.

Remarks come at joint media interaction with Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh, who is on a visit to India. Nine agreements announced, including $300-million line of credit.

China downplays India and Australia’s contributions to the Quad, the narrative suggests that these countries are more concerned with resolving their bilateral issues.

The foreign ministers' meeting is expected to lay the ground for Quad Leader's Summit to be held India this year. The summit has been delayed since January.

NATO is faced with the war in Ukraine, the rise of China, and the political challenges experienced by several of its members at home, such as the consequential elections in France.

India’s Indo-Pacific partners are going to be none too pleased that New Delhi cannot even use the term 'Indo-Pacific' in a joint statement, giving China atleast a symbolic win.

Two-day visit by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan seen as critical to both countries' focus on convergences in the relationship rather than differences.

In video address at roundtable discussion in Colombo, Ranil Wickremesinghe said 'maps are now drawn not according to geography, but geopolitics'.

New Delhi and Brussels need to iron out operational divergences, such as using different portals for sharing information among members, but these remain minor issues. The larger political question is the commitment to creating a strong defence posture that can deter these lapses.