Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2025

• 05 Nov 2025

For Prelims: Indian Ocean Rim Association, Indo-Pacific framework,  India's SAGAR doctrine,  Strait of Hormuz, China+1 strategies, Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository,  Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Voice of Global South Summit, AUKUS,  RCEP.  

For Mains: Significance of the Indo-Pacific Region for India, Key Issues Hindering India's Active Engagements in the Indo-Pacific.

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

The Indo‑Pacific Regional Dialogue 2025 (IPRD 2025), the Indian Navy’s annual apex-level strategic conference, concluded in New Delhi on 30th October 2025.

• The seventh edition, themed “Promoting Holistic Maritime Security and Growth: Regional Capacity-Building and Capability-Enhancement,” brought together representatives from over thirty Indo-Pacific and partner nations to discuss cooperative strategies for regional maritime stability and development.

What is the Significance of the Indo-Pacific Region for India?

• Maritime Security & Strategic Autonomy:
  • Over 95% of India’s trade by volume passes through the Indian Ocean, making the region essential to India’s sovereignty and security.
  • India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR doctrines stress inclusive maritime prosperity and security.
  • India has intensified naval presence near chokepoints like Strait of Hormuz and Strait of Malacca to ensure energy and trade flow security.
• Economic Growth & Trade Integration:
  • The Indo-Pacific is key to “China+1” strategy, enabling manufacturing diversification and resilient supply chains.
  • India’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and FTAs with Australia and UAE enhance trade resilience.
  • The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) strengthens connectivity through the Indo-Pacific.
• Logistics and Connectivity:
  • Maritime infrastructure projects like Sagarmala and Chabahar Port aim to improve logistics and connectivity across the Indo-Pacific.
• Climate Change & Blue Economy:
  • The region faces severe climate threats - rising sea levels, cyclones, coral degradation.
  • India champions Blue Economy cooperation via IORA, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and partnerships for sustainable ocean governance.
• Diplomatic and Normative Leadership:
  • India uses the Indo-Pacific to project itself as a civilizational democracy and leader of the Global South.
  • Through the IORA Chairmanship (2025–27) and initiatives like Voice of Global South Summit (2024), India reinforces inclusive and rules-based maritime governance.

What are the Challenges Faced by India in the Indo-Pacific?

• Strategic Turbulence: The region is witnessing great-power rivalry like recent clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, Philippines and China, rise of non-state actors like drug cartels and terrorist groups, and non-traditional security threats like piracy and cyberattacks.
• Security Impacts of Climate Change: Increasing sea-level rise and extreme weather events threaten coastal communities in Pacific islands like Tuvalu and Kiribati, etc.
• Limited Naval and Strategic Resources: India faces logistical and budgetary limits compared to powers like the US and China, restricting presence beyond the Indian Ocean.
  • India ranks 38th in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (2023). Chabahar Port, India’s key strategic project, saw only partial operationalisation, while China’s Gwadar Port received over $2.5 billion in fresh investment under CPEC.
• Lack of Unified Doctrine: Multiple initiatives (SAGAR, Act East, IPOI) exist but no single national Indo-Pacific strategy, diluting strategic clarity.
• Geopolitical Balancing: India’s strategic autonomy complicates alignment with coalitions like Quad or AUKUS, while maintaining ties with Russia and China.
• Economic Caution: India’s trade hesitancy post-RCEP and limited FTAs reduce economic leverage in regional diplomacy.
• Institutional Weaknesses: Organisations such as IORA and BIMSTEC face limitations due to weak secretariats and insufficient funding. Delays in implementing projects like Sagarmala, coupled with inadequate deep-sea port capabilities, constrain India’s maritime trade and naval access.

What Steps Can India Take to Enhance Its Role in the Indo-Pacific?

• Legal and Security Reforms
  • The Maritime Anti-Piracy Act (2022) provides legal backing for anti-piracy missions.
  • India is enhancing naval logistics, deep-sea port infrastructure, and mission-based deployments.
• Maritime Policy & Regional Cooperation
  • MAHASAGAR Policy aims for security and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.
  • India partners with AIMS 2050, Quad, IORA, IPOI, and ASEAN for maritime security and climate resilience.
  • Initiatives like IMEC, Project MAUSAM, and INSV Kaundinya strengthen maritime traditions and awareness.
• Blue Economy & Strategic Diplomacy
  • India promotes the Blue Economy and seabed infrastructure for sustainable fisheries, ocean energy, and island livelihoods.
  • Soft power outreach through education, culture, and diaspora engagement enhances regional influence.
• Comprehensive Indo-Pacific Strategy
  • Integrates SAGAR, IPOI, Act East, and IPEF to boost connectivity and strategic partnerships.

Conclusion

India, guided by its “Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)” vision, is integrating security, sustainability, and diplomacy to emerge as a net security provider and connector between the Global South and Indo-Pacific powers. As IORA Chair, it seeks to align strategic autonomy, partnerships, and capacity-building to ensure a stable and prosperous maritime region.

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the strategic and economic significance of the Indo-Pacific region for India. How can India strengthen its role amid evolving geopolitical challenges?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Indo-Pacific and why is it important for India?
The Indo-Pacific spans the Indian and Pacific Oceans. For India, it’s vital for trade, maritime security, and regional influence.

Q. What are India’s key initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region?
India promotes the MAHASAGAR policy, supports IORA, IONS, and IMEEC, and advocates for a free, open, and rules-based maritime order.

Q. What challenges does India face in the Indo-Pacific?
India faces great power rivalry, piracy, non-state actors, climate impacts, and competition over critical sea lanes and maritime resources.

Q. How does the Blue Economy support India’s Indo-Pacific goals?
The Blue Economy promotes sustainable ocean-based growth, strengthens maritime infrastructure, and enhances India’s diplomatic and economic engagement in the region.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions (PYQ)  

Prelims 

Q. With reference to “Look East Policy” of India, consider the following statements: (2011)  

1. India wants to establish itself as an important regional player in East Asian affairs. 
2. India wants to plug the vacuum created by the termination of the Cold War. 
3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural ties with its neighbors in Southeast and East Asia. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

(a) 1 only  

(b) 1 and 3 only    

(c) 3 only    

(d) 1, 2 and 3  

Ans: (d) 

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Mains  

Q1. The new tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. (2021)