Modi courts Indo-Pacific partners as China, US reshape region

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent three-nation tour underscored India's growing strategic role in the Indo-Pacific, marked by a series of agreements on defense, energy, and critical minerals. The outreach aims to deepen partnerships amid China's expanding influence and evolving US engagement in the region.

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The rise of China as a major power in the Indo-Pacific region is leading to a new landscape. Countries are responding to that. Clearly the US footprint is declining in the region and other countries are trying to come together to fill the gap to whatever degree is possible.

India signed deals, including the sale of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Indonesia and defense and resource partnerships with Australia. These moves follow heightened regional security tensions, such as China's recent testing of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile in the Pacific. The agreements reflect a broader trend of Indo-Pacific nations taking on more responsibility for regional security and economic stability.

Experts note that China's rise is reshaping the regional landscape, prompting countries to collaborate. "Countries are responding to that," said Ashok Malik, India chair at the Asia Group. "Clearly the US footprint is declining in the region and other countries are trying to come together to fill the gap to whatever degree is possible." He added that these "mini-latticeworks" or multilateral arrangements focus on semiconductors, critical minerals, maritime security, and defense to mitigate vulnerabilities.

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What you’re seeing emerge in the region, and I’ve been a big supporter and driver of getting New Zealand into it, is what we call mini-latticeworks or multilateral arrangements between a small set of countries.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted this trend, stating, "Our relationships with China are the same as what we manage with many other countries, which is we cooperate where we can, we differ where we must, and we work with like-minded countries to advance our own national interests." This approach mirrors efforts by countries to build resilience against pressure from both the US and China, particularly as the US has shifted its messaging and pressed allies to increase their regional security contributions.

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Our relationships with China are the same as what we manage with many other countries, which is we cooperate where we can, we differ where we must, and we work with like-minded countries to advance our own national interests.