Finding Seoul in the Indo-Pacific

General Studies Paper 2

Context

Indo-Pacific

• The Indo-Pacific is a geopolitical construct that has emerged as a substitute to the long-prevalent “Asia-Pacific.
• Indian ocean and pacific ocean: It is an integrated theater that combines the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, and the land masses that surround them.
• Strategic and economic: It is both a strategic as well as an economic domain comprising important sea-lines of communication
• Maritime security: The Indo-Pacific is also associated with maritime security and cooperation.
• US: It describe the Indo-Pacific as a region that starts at the:
• Western shore of the Americas and ends at the shores of the Indian subcontinent.
• India and Japan: the concept is much broader in expanse, extending to the shores of the African continent.
• Major stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific include: India, U.S.A., Australia, Japan, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members and other maritime nations that occupy the strategic positions in the Indian and Pacific Ocean including small island countries.

Significance of Indo-Pacific region for India:

• Strategic significance: The Indo-Pacific is a multipolar region that accounts for over half of global GDP and population.
• Mineral Resources: Maritime regions have also become important storage areas for essential resources such as fish stocks, minerals, and offshore oil and gas.
• Economic Growth: The Indo-Pacific area accounts for approximately 60% of world GDP, making it the most important contributor to global growth.
• Commerce: Many of the world’s most important choke points for global trade are located in this region, including the Straits of Malacca, which are crucial for global economic growth.

The significance of the Camp David meet

• It is the function of a recognition of the changing regional security environment by the three countries.
• It along with AUKUS (the U.S, the United Kingdom, Australia), the Quad or CHIP 4 Alliance (the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea) lead to a strengthened U.S.-led alliance structure
• though dispersed to reflect the multipolar urges of the contemporary international system — in East Asia.
• The summit has the potential to set South Korea on a new strategic direction in the Indo-Pacific with improved relations with Tokyo
• More synergy with the American view on China, and enhanced engagement of the Indo-Pacific.
• It marks a strategic shift in Seoul’s traditional approach of not offending China at any cost.
• It indicates the view that trade dependence on China does not mean passivity towards a growing Chinese military presence in the region.
• A keen desire in ROK to join the Quad grouping: South Korea might apply for a membership in a Quad Plus next year.
• A new foreign policy enthusiasm in Seoul today: The President of South Korea has declared that the main goal of his foreign policy would be to make South Korea a “global pivotal state”.
• The country’s engagement of the U.S. and Japan, support to Ukraine, articulation of the China challenge and a desire to play a bigger role in the Indo-Pacific underline this new vision.

Reasons why ROK is a natural partner for India in the Indo-Pacific:

• ROK’s location in the Indo-Pacific, close to China, while being a U.S. ally provides India with a like-minded strategic partner.
• For both ROK and India, the rise of China and its unilateral attempts at reordering the Asian security architecture are of great concern.
• For India, Seoul can be an important regional partner at a time when India is closer to the U.S. and is concerned about Chinese intentions and power like never before in history.

Areas where the two countries could focus on in order to strengthen relationship:

• At the political and diplomatic levels: The two sides should consider establishing an annual summit at the level of the Foreign Ministers, and a 2+2 format dialogue (India currently has 2+2 dialogues with the U.S., Japan, Australia and Russia).
• The partnership could also benefit from reciprocal visits by heads of state to each other’s country.
• The two sides could be even more ambitious and explore the possibility of negotiating a South Korea-Japan-India-U.S. initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), along the lines of the recently-concluded India-U.S. iCET.
• Defense: South Korea’s willingness and ability to cater to India’s defense needs within the ambit of India’s ‘Make in India’ programme must be utilized.
• The K9 Vajra: A 155 mm self-propelled howitzer, built by L&T with technology from South Korea’s Hanwha Defense is an example in this regard.
• South Korean-built K2 Black Panther tanks could also be co-produced in India for the Indian Army or third countries.

Way Forward

• Along with Japan and the U.S, ROK has the potential to emerge as a key piece in India’s Indo-pacific strategy.
• It is important to view the prospects of the India-ROK strategic partnership in the broader context of the recent geopolitical developments in the East Asian region.
• Korean-built civilian nuclear reactors. Even after the India-U.S. civil nuclear deal, India-International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreement and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver
• India has not been able to import any nuclear reactors due to the difficulties foreign suppliers have with India’s nuclear liability law.
• Given India’s growing need for clean energy and Seoul’s remarkable track record in supplying cheaper and faster nuclear reactors to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and central European states
• India could consider purchasing Korean-built reactors so as to expand the share of nuclear energy in the country’s energy basket —
• ROK, with a new strategic outlook, and along with the U.S., Japan and Australia, is uniquely placed to help India advance its interests in the Indo-Pacific.