Policy Commentary, May 22 2024
Dr Rajeev Ranjan Chaturvedy
Diplomacy is extremely significant in the intricate world of international relations, especially with regard to security and defense. For India to boost its global status and play a more active role in regional and international affairs, resurrecting security and defense diplomacy is critical. This revival will be anchored on the strategic partnership between India and the United States, which could ensure peace, security, and prosperity both within the Indo-Pacific region and outside.
Addressing Security Threats
One of the major concerns facing both countries is terrorism and extremism threats. Despite persistent joint efforts, an evident gap in perceptions and occasional disparities lead to imperfect cooperation. To effectively deal with this problem, India, along with America, must join their forces against terrorism both at the bilateral level as well as globally. Moreover, simplifying export control procedures and relaxing technology transfer measures may enhance cooperation in the areas of security and defense industries, ultimately advancing mutual security interests either on a bilateral or worldwide scale.
Maritime security and freedom of navigation are yet another crucial area where common efforts must be taken together. The promotion of maritime domain awareness can only be improved by collaboration mechanisms, and joint patrols necessary for strengthening regional stability and deterring maritime threats. Adherence to international law, including UNCLOS, is important in buttressing the rule-based order to promote regional stability; thus, highlighting the importance of capacity building in maritime laws and sea laws.
Furthermore, the expansion of exploitation of marine resources powered by the latest biotechnology, aquaculture, and renewable energy resources becomes another burning issue. To combat these problems, marine spatial planning can act as a strategic imperative, particularly in the Indian Ocean. A joint effort on marine spatial planning between the US and India is crucial to boost underwater domain awareness while promoting responsibility for environmental stewardship to address security concerns as well.
Overcoming Bureaucracy and Advancing Mutual Interests
Fostering partnerships through various frameworks is very important in the broader Indo-Pacific context to ensure security, economic resilience, and infrastructure development. Infrastructure investments that follow high standards and are transparent not only guarantee sustainability but also act as an antidote to increased Chinese influence within the area. To revitalize diplomacy on security and defense, the focus must be given to priority areas such as maritime security collaboration, counter-terrorism initiatives, and cooperation on advanced defense technologies. Nevertheless, effective collaboration faces bureaucratic obstacles and outdated regulations. For diplomatic involvement to take place, giving adequate resources and authority to military attaches is necessary. Moreover, it is vital to deal with blurred lines between geo-economics and geopolitics. Trusting partners like the USA helps negotiate economic pressures while setting new rules of engagement leading to transparency for access to critical technology and preventing the use of economic clout by China.
Still, amidst this activity, America faces the problem of internal disunity, which has hampered its global leadership and support for liberal ideals. Quick steps are necessary to narrow the divisions within and improve America’s reputation worldwide. The world could lose out on maintaining the global order and a peaceful environment if these obstacles are not addressed.
To conclude, a strategic partnership between India and the USA can go a long way in reshaping security and defense diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific. Challenges should be addressed through a collective approach, standardization of regulations, and trust-building initiatives towards each other, thus leading to the advancement of mutual interest and the promotion of worldwide peace. However, it is vital to recognize domestic challenges and work towards overcoming them so that diplomatic efforts remain effective enough for peace and prosperity to be sustained.
Remarks made by Dr Rajeev Ranjan Chaturvedy, Founding Coordinator, Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies, Nalanda University at Second Virtual Panel Discussion on “Defense and Security Dialogues between India and the United States” February 20, 2024, for an ongoing project on Partners in Progress: How Does the US-India Strategic Partnership Matter?
Organized by Centre for East Asian Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) & Rising Powers Initiative (RPI), Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University in collaboration with US Consulate General Chennai.
