Geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific Security: Navigating the Contours of Power, Contestations and Cooperation

The geopolitics of Indo-Pacific have gained considerable traction in recent years, with the rise of competition between the US and China to shape the course of the 21st century. The regional players adopt diverse approaches to the region based on their strategic interests amid US-China discord. While some areas of convergence exist, the absence of a single overarching deliberation mechanism and overlapping regional institutions further widens the gap among stakeholders in the region. These regional and extra-regional institutions foster cooperation and simultaneously act as barriers to pan-regional governance. The paper aims to explore multifaceted dimensions of Indo-Pacific security and the impact of such security arrangements in the region. The study delves into power contestation, perceptions and misperceptions, inherent conflicts, and areas of cooperation in the region. The paper is based on a theoretical examination of strategic postures in the region demonstrated by major powers, to examine political patterns in Indo-Pacific discourse. Theoretical analysis reveals that the US primarily adopts a realist approach to the Indo-Pacific, while China blends liberal ideas with a constructivist lens. While China currently sidelines the geopolitical angle and emphasises the geo-economic perspective for the region, its long-term strategic interests cannot be ignored. Other regional players shape their foreign policies based on their national interests and regional capabilities, but they do not resemble US policy. The paper serves the essential purpose of providing a thematic evaluation of the area for academicians interested in the Indo-Pacific region.