Great power conundrum for Asia

Mukhtar Kareem

Quetta: Global political environment is turbulent. The rivalry among great powers is reaching new heights. The Indo-Pacific region is the stage where power plays is orchestrated. The most important players are the United States, China, India and Russia. The new rivalry originates from the US-Indo Pacific strategy. The United States strategy vouches safe for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Since 2019, the US strategy has been Indo-Pacific identifying China as the single largest competitor.

Indo-Pacific is the region stretching from the west coast of the US to the western shore of India. This effectively excludes Pakistan both from the region and the policy equation. Only five states are referenced within the Indo-pacific region.
The focus of US has shifted from Europe to Asia. This very shift has substantiated reasons. The Indo-Pacific region comprises seven out of ten largest economies. Six countries in the region possess nuclear power. Economically, the Indo-Pacific region contributes 60 per cent of the global GDP. This region has six fastest-growing economies; India, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Nepal and Philippines.
The US considers China as a revisionist power. It challenges its economic and political practices. On the other hand, Chinese white papers, while denying these labels, regard the US as a pariah. China assumes that the US is creating unnecessary tensions for its gain in the region. The US strategy also considers Russia, a revitalized malign power, and North a rogue state. According to the US, these states are troublemakers.
Therefore Washington is relying on some old-fashioned principles of respect for sovereignty and independence, promotion of free trade, peaceful resolution of disputes, and adherence to the international rules and norms. Based on these principles, it rides on self-claimed rules of protecting the regional states, nullifying the dominance of one state, and strengthening sovereignty, democracy and economic engagement.
The United States designated Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives as her partners. This strategy earmarks India as a net security provider. Therefore, it becomes inevitable to engage India militarily and ensure continued support.
China’s white paper reveals concerns of growing partnerships between the US and India. Therefore, China is rallying with Russia to counter the threat. The Indo-US alliance also threatens the interests of Pakistan in the region. China through its Belt and Road Initiative investment in African countries and alliance with Russia is counter-balancing the threats.
As great power rivalry has shifted to Asia, it creates military, economic and political problems for regional countries.

Asian countries will have to navigate the policies in such a manner so that they don’t become servers of great power interests. These countries need to build multiple partnerships with small and like-minded countries. They need to increase their policy options. Otherwise, they may be sacrificed at the altar of great power objectives.