The Indo-Pacific Region as a Modern Rimland: Strategic Competition between India, China, and the U.S.

Abstract The Rimland Theory by Nicholas Spykman proposes that the coastal regions of Eurasia are the "bottlenecks" (or the area) where Global Power is exercised, and that whoever controls those areas has the ability to dominate over the rest of the Continental Heartland. This Review Paper will reinterpret the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as a modern-day Rimland and evaluate how the Strategic Competitions between India, China and the USA, as part of the Multipolar Dynamics, are developing in this region. In addition to drawing upon previous scholarly research, this paper evaluates critical conflict areas including the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, and the Alliance Formations known as QUAD and AUKUS. The paper emphasizes how technology and economics have altered how countries approach their Rimland Strategies, and how India is becoming increasingly important as a Balancer in the Region. The paper also shows that the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region plays a significant role in altering the balance of global power; however, the paper finds that this is being done through the application of traditional Geopolitical principles combined with Hybrid Threats. Finally, the Indo-Asia-Pacific is found to be an example of the evolution of the Rimland concept which requires Cooperative Frameworks to prevent Escalation.