Remarks by Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF

I would like to thank the National Maritime Foundation for inviting me to the fourth NMF-AWW Bilateral dialogue on the broader theme of the India-China dynamic in the Indo-Pacific.

The region is highly dynamic. The emergence of the strategic construct of Indo-Pacific reflects the new reality. The most important ones are the rise of India and China, economic center of gravity shifting to the Indo-Pacific, China’s military modernisation, the US-China competition in the Indo-Pacific, and establishment of China’s sovereignty on Island in South China Sea.

The concept of Indo-Pacific is still in early stages of development. China is apprehensive of the concept. Prime Minister Modi has clarified that the region needs a common rule-based order based on the content of all, equal access as a right under international law to the use of common spaces, freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law. Mr Modi has said that India’s own engagement in the Indo-Pacific region will be based on respect, dialogue, cooperation, peace and smiridhi—Samman, Samvad, sahayog, shanti, and Samriddhi.

The ground reality needs to be taken into account to construct a rule-based order and to ensure free and open Indo-Pacific. There is a need for understanding the mutual perspectives of Indo-Pacific to a of world confusion, misunderstanding and tensions.

India and China have held two maritime dialogues at the official level in 2016 and 2018. The present think tank level dialogue is timely and appropriate as here we can talk candidly and look at the options for future. This session is particularly important as it focuses on practical ideas for India-China Maritime Cooperation and Formulating Suitable Confidence Building Measures. I congratulate the NMF and the AWW for organising this very important Track II level dialogue.

Thank you.