Recently, competition among global powers in the West Pacific has been escalating. In such a period, two naval ships from India made a two-day visit to the capital of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby.[1] This development has been an indicator that India does not want to stay out of regional competition. India, which holds the presidency of the G20, is seen to be trying not only to preserve its historic influence in Asia but also in the Pacific.
After visiting Papua New Guinea, Indian navy ships set out to participate in the Malabar Naval Exercise in Australia. Approximately 10 months ago, after China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands, the United States (USA) and its allies have been trying to deter Pacific island nations from establishing security ties with China. Just in May, Papua New Guinea signed a defense agreement with Washington and plans to sign a similar security agreement with Australia soon. Around this time, the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Papua New Guinea was noteworthy. At the end of July, the trip made by French President Emmanuel Macron to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia has been an indicator that Paris will not stay out of the power struggle in the region.
In addition to France and India, senior officials from Indonesia, the US, and the UK have visited Papua New Guinea one after the other. On the other hand, the visit of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to China in July has been interpreted as taking bilateral relations a step further. It can be argued that there is a polarization between island states interested in China in the Pacific and those keen on cooperating with the West. Despite the West’s recent interest in Papua New Guinea, it is worth noting that this island nation’s largest trading partner is China. Generally, China’s effectiveness in the Pacific is causing concern among Western countries with national interests in the region. Pacific island nations are quite pleased with the increased interest the West has shown in them recently. These small island nations, in need of development and infrastructure investments, are also seeking ways to get closer to China economically.
In the context of competition in the West Pacific, it can be argued that New Delhi’s stance differs from other Western countries. The country with which India shares the most common interests in its regional policies is France. Representing Western-style democracy, India and France cooperate in various areas such as defense, space, and nuclear collaboration while also agreeing on regional policies. In the middle of last July, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Paris, had an important meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. Macron said that the two countries shared a joint vision for an Indo-Pacific region free from any hegemony.[2] France is also one of the countries that invest the most in India’s defense industry. Indeed, after the AUKUS agreement, Paris’s defense cooperation with Canberra has deteriorated. Following this development, France began to prioritize its defense industry collaboration with India.
The US and China have entered an open power struggle over the West Pacific islands. Now actors such as India, France, Australia, and Japan are also joining this competition. In this context, New Delhi aims to invest in the Pacific region, where it has historic ties, and establish mutually beneficial partnerships. Strongly supporting the idea of a free and open Pacific, India is also against the idea of polarization that would raise regional tension. It can be argued that in the coming period, along with France, India will try to increase its presence in the region to ensure that the Pacific remains free and open. France already has a significant military presence in the Pacific. Similarly, India may aim to establish naval bases in the Pacific to show more strategic presence. However, New Delhi is well aware of the dangers of such military steps. Therefore, it is likely that India will try to stay away from regional tensions.
Ultimately, India may consider establishing a security network in close collaboration with Pacific island states and other Western partners. Apart from this, it can be argued that New Delhi’s plans regarding the region are extremely peaceful. Prime Minister Modi announced a 12-step action plan last May to advance India’s partnership with Pacific island countries.[3] This plan focuses on investments serving the development of the regional population, ranging from health to water resources, from innovation to education, and from energy to technology.
The US’s regional policies are based on “military power maximization.” Therefore, India has started making intense efforts to secure its commercial and economic relations with Pacific countries and to maintain political balances in the region. The ultimate goal of India’s Pacific policy is to ensure maritime security, increase its influence in the region, and strengthen its military relations to gain an advantage over other competitors. India’s efforts to increase its economic, political, and military presence in the Asia Pacific can influence global power balances in the long term.
[1] “Indian Navy Ships Dock in Papua New Guinea as Interest in Pacific Sharpens”, Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-navy-ships-dock-in-papua-new-guinea-as-interest-in-pacific-sharpens/articleshow/102359106.cms?from=mdr, (Erişim Tarihi: 05.08.2023).
[2] “France, India Share Common Vision of Hegemony-Free Indo-Pacific: Macron”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-india-share-common-vision-of-hegemony-free-indo-pacific-macron/2946136, (Erişim Tarihi: 05.08.2023).
[3] “PM Modi Unveils 12-Step Action Plan to Strengthen India-Pacific Island Countries Partnership”, BqPrime, https://www.bqprime.com/nation/bqc-pm-modi-unveils-12-step-action-plan-to-strengthen-india-pacific-island-countries-partnership, (Erişim Tarihi: 05.08.2023).
