India’s Strategic Alliances in the Indo-Pacific Region: A Complex Balancing Act

India’s growing involvement in strategic alliances across the Indo-Pacific region has become one of the defining features of its foreign policy in recent years. As global power dynamics shift, India’s participation in multilateral security frameworks has been seen as both an opportunity and a challenge. The country’s strategic partnerships, particularly with the United States, Japan, Australia, and other key regional players, are shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific. Yet, this expansion of alliances raises questions about India’s balancing act between regional stability and its traditional non-aligned stance.

India’s Expanding Role in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific region, home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and critical maritime trade routes, has become a geopolitical hotspot. India, strategically located at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, has increasingly found itself at the centre of this regional pivot. For India, the Indo-Pacific is not just a strategic area but also an economic zone of immense importance. The region hosts a wealth of natural resources, vital sea lanes, and a rising demand for trade. As a result, India’s foreign policy in this region has seen a significant shift towards deeper engagement with global and regional powers.

India’s participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad, is perhaps the most prominent example of its growing alliances in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad, a strategic partnership between India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, has emerged as a counterbalance to China’s assertiveness in the region. The grouping’s emphasis on a free and open Indo-Pacific has garnered widespread support from Western powers, who view China’s expanding military presence and assertive territorial claims as a direct challenge to regional stability.

India’s engagement with the Quad, however, has not been without its complexities. While India shares common interests with the United States and other members, it has also been careful to avoid alienating China, its largest trading partner. India’s participation in the Quad is, therefore, more about strategic positioning rather than a military alliance aimed directly at countering China. New Delhi is acutely aware of the need to maintain a delicate balancing act between strengthening its partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and preserving its relations with China, particularly in the economic sphere.

Beyond the Quad, India has also strengthened its relationships with other key regional powers, including ASEAN countries, South Korea, and Indonesia. Through initiatives like the Act East Policy, India has sought to deepen its economic, diplomatic, and security ties with Southeast Asia, an area crucial to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific. India has participated in joint military exercises, shared intelligence, and engaged in critical infrastructure projects across the region. These efforts are in line with India’s broader goal of expanding its influence and presence in the Indo-Pacific.

International Perspectives: Supporting India’s Strategic Vision

International organisations and governments have largely supported India’s increasing role in the Indo-Pacific, especially in light of the growing concerns over China’s dominance in the region. The United States, in particular, has been a vocal proponent of India’s involvement in regional security frameworks. The U.S. sees India as a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific, one that can help maintain the regional order and prevent China from exerting unchecked influence.

The U.S.-India defence relationship has grown significantly over the years. Both countries have signed multiple defence agreements, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA). These agreements aim to enhance military cooperation, interoperability, and intelligence sharing. As the U.S. seeks to contain China’s rise, India’s strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific has never been clearer.

The role of the Quad has also received significant backing from other major democracies, including Japan and Australia. Japan, with its close proximity to China, shares India’s concerns about Beijing’s growing military capabilities and territorial ambitions, particularly in the East and South China Seas. The recent signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan and Australia is a testament to the shared vision of these democracies to counterbalance China’s influence and maintain stability in the region.

ASEAN countries, while cautious in aligning too closely with any one power, have also expressed support for India’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific. Many ASEAN members, particularly Vietnam and Singapore, are wary of China’s maritime assertiveness and welcome India’s role as a stabilising force in the region. India’s increased participation in regional dialogues, such as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, has further cemented its position as an influential player in Indo-Pacific affairs.

The Opposition’s Perspective: A Tenuous Balance

While India’s strategic alliances have garnered praise from international quarters, the domestic opposition is more sceptical about the implications of these growing partnerships. Critics argue that India’s increasing involvement in military alliances like the Quad could push the country into unnecessary conflicts and drag it into the global power rivalry between the U.S. and China. These critics point to the fact that India’s traditional foreign policy has been based on non-alignment and strategic autonomy, and joining a bloc that is perceived to be aimed at countering China could be seen as a departure from this long-standing approach.

The opposition has also raised concerns about the implications of India’s growing military engagement with the United States and its allies. While defence agreements and joint exercises may enhance India’s military capabilities, critics argue that these alliances could potentially undermine India’s sovereignty and lead to a situation where the country becomes too reliant on foreign powers for its security. Some argue that India must prioritise its own security and not be drawn into external conflicts, particularly in a region as volatile as the Indo-Pacific, where tensions between major powers are already high.

There are also concerns about India’s ability to maintain a balanced approach in its dealings with China. The economic ties between India and China are substantial, with China being India’s largest trading partner. Critics of India’s growing alliances in the Indo-Pacific argue that these partnerships could jeopardise India’s ability to engage with China in a constructive manner, especially on issues such as trade, border disputes, and regional security. In recent years, tensions between India and China have risen, particularly along their shared border, and some fear that India’s increasing military engagement with Western powers could exacerbate these tensions.

Moreover, some domestic voices argue that India’s focus on strategic alliances should not come at the cost of addressing pressing domestic issues. Critics point to India’s economic challenges, such as income inequality, unemployment, and poverty, suggesting that India should focus more on its internal development rather than getting entangled in international power struggles. These voices argue that India’s resources could be better spent on improving the lives of its citizens rather than on military expansion and geopolitical manoeuvring.

A Complex Geopolitical Environment

India’s strategic alliances in the Indo-Pacific are being shaped by an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. While India seeks to assert its role as a regional leader and counterbalance China’s growing influence, it must also navigate the challenges posed by its own economic and security interests. The country’s efforts to expand its military capabilities and deepen its partnerships with Western and regional powers reflect a pragmatic approach to a rapidly changing world order. However, this approach comes with risks, both externally and domestically, and will require careful management to avoid overextension or unwanted entanglements.

As India continues to strengthen its alliances in the Indo-Pacific, it will be crucial for the government to maintain a balance between engagement with global powers and safeguarding its own strategic autonomy. India’s role in the region is increasingly important, but how it positions itself within these alliances will determine whether it can successfully navigate the complexities of the Indo-Pacific and secure its place as a key player in global geopolitics.