The Great Churn in Asia

(Source: Indian Express, National Page)

Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 04 June 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 04 June 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2 (International Relations, Foreign Policy), GS Paper 3 (Security Issues)

Context

This editorial unpacks the rapidly changing Asian security landscape, contextualized through two key events: the Shangri-La Dialogue and the South Korean presidential election results. The events reflect a continent in flux—with alignments hardening, tensions rising, and the balance of power shifting between democratic alliances and authoritarian blocs.

Background

• Shangri-La Dialogue: Held annually in Singapore, this summit brings together defense ministers, military chiefs, and policymakers to discuss Asian security. The 2025 dialogue was especially polarized due to tensions over Taiwan, South China Sea, and military buildup in East Asia.
• South Korean Elections: Conservative victory in Seoul reinforces military cooperation with the U.S. and its Indo-Pacific policy strategic framework.
• Broader Trends: Militarization of the Indo-Pacific, increased maritime assertiveness by China, and tighter alliances among U.S., Japan, Australia, and the Philippines.

Key Points:

A Bipolar Asia Emerging:

• Two rival blocs are solidifying:

  Alliance	Member Countries	Key Characteristics
  U.S.-led Alliance	Japan, South Korea, Australia, Philippines	Democratic alignment, maritime cooperation, Indo-Pacific security framework
  China-Russia Axis	China, Russia	Military cooperation, strategic convergence, anti-West rhetoric

Security Flashpoints Intensifying:

• Taiwan Strait, Korean Peninsula, and South China Sea are potential flashpoints.

• Smaller nations like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore are hedging or balancing carefully.

Diplomacy Under Strain:

• Traditional ASEAN consensus is weakening.

• Smaller regional players are pressured to choose sides in great power rivalry

India’s Role and Dilemmas:

Strategic Autonomy vs Strategic Ambiguity:

• India has followed a policy of multi-alignment (QUAD, BRICS, SCO).

• However, global polarization is forcing New Delhi to show clearer intent.

Gaps in Indo-Pacific Policy:

• Despite ambitious language (“Act East,” “SAGAR”), India’s engagement with East Asia remains underdeveloped compared to maritime West (e.g., Gulf).

• Infrastructure and defense capacity remain insufficient in Andaman & Nicobar and Eastern Naval Command zones.

Missed Opportunities:

• India needs deeper security dialogues with ASEAN.

• Lack of strategic economic presence in East Asia (post-RCEP exit) reduces soft power.

Way Forward:

• Draft a clear Indo-Pacific policy with measurable goals.

• Enhance maritime capacity through joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and multilateral drills.

• Expand defense diplomacy with South Korea, Vietnam, Philippines.

• Use regional forums like BIMSTEC, IORA for strategic depth.

• Stay engaged with both democratic allies and the Global South to ensure a balanced posture.

Practice Question: With Asia becoming a theater of great power rivalry, evaluate the challenges India faces in balancing its strategic autonomy with its Indo-Pacific ambitions. Suggest a roadmap for India’s regional security engagement. (15 marks, 250 words)