Open Lecture: Framing the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR) in Indian Foreign Policy

Lucturer is Ms Vijaykuma Poojary is a Lecturer at Manipal Centre for European Studies. She is the Nodal Officer of the Quality and Compliance Committee at MCES. She is also the program coordinator for MA European Studies at Manipal. 

Abstract: The emergence of the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR) as a new regional construct, bringing together the Indian and Pacific Oceans – represents a new strategic reality of 21st century international politics. It also emerges from an intentional displacing of the Asia-Pacific region in strategic discussions. However, what IPR means is still heavily contested, and what it means in policy terms varies within the different strategies on IPR that have emerged. Further, given the geographical positioning, the global tilt towards IPR has direct implications for one of the major powers in the region – India. This session will map firstly the differences in the strategies of major global powers which present a very confusing and fuzzy landscape of IPR. Secondly, the session will examine India’s initial reluctance in embracing IPR in its strategic outlook followed by a more proactive approach towards it later.