At The Beginning Of The 21st Century Asia-pacific Strategic Research In India

At the first decade of the21stcentury, the Asia-Pacific region has become the mostdynamic and influential region on the world stage. As a rising power, India also paysmore attention to the Asia-Pacific region, and correlates the future strategic ambitionswith the Asia-Pacific tightly. Under the direction of the idea of great power, Indiadevelops and strengthens the comprehensive relations with the nations andmultilateral organizations in the Asia-Pacific region continuously, and endeavors topromote the influences in the region. India is making an attempt to become a greatpower with influence and charisma.This thesis tries to do the comprehensive and systematic study of India’sAsia-Pacific strategy at the beginning of the21stcentury. This thesis considers that theroots of India’s Asia-Pacific strategy lie in the idea of great power which India hasbeen abided by for a long time. During the course of pursuing the position of greatpower, the Asia-Pacific region never breaks away from India’s strategic vision. At thebeginning of the21STcentury, India’s economic vigor, scientific and technologicalinnovation, military deterrence and political influence have gained obvious progress.Adding the resources of soft power, India has the underpinning and resources toexhibit strength and influence toward the outside world, which is the precondition ofIndia carrying out Asia-Pacific strategy. The change of the surroundings in theAsia-Pacific region, especially the adjustment of power structure, becomes theimportant external factors that India carries out the Asia-Pacific strategy. India’sAsia-Pacific strategy is a strategic development with pertinence andcomprehensiveness, which includes the strategic objectives and means. According tothe analysis of the objectives, means, influences and challenges of India’s Asia-Pacificstrategy, we can predicate India’s future posture in the Asia-Pacific region. India’sAsia-Pacific strategic objectives have many aspects, including pursuing economicrising, strategic autonomy, balance of power and sea power etc. India’s Asia-Pacificstrategic means include bilateral diplomacy and multilateral diplomacy. The bilateral diplomacy mainly depends on the great powers in the Asia-Pacific, andsimultaneously considers the smaller nations. The multilateral diplomacy regards theAsia-Pacific multilateral organizations as the cardinal line, and in the meantimefocuses on the relative marginal multilateral organizations such as the Pacific IslandsForum. With the two means, India will have much more activity space and autonomy.India’s Asia-Pacific strategy will produce four aspect results. The first is to change thepower structure and composition in the Asia-Pacific region. The second is to promoteIndia’s strength and amplify India’s influences in the Asia-Pacific region. The third isto create a harmonious surrounding for India. The last is to make the situations aroundChina more complication. This thesis also considers that the major challenges of theimplementations of India’s Asia-Pacific strategy stem from the indoor andcircumjacent area. India’s turbulent situations, conflicts among the nations andreligions, and the uncertainties of relations between India and its surrounding nations,can force India to adjust strategic objectives and transfer strategic resources. Withregard to India’s future posture in the Asia-Pacific region, this thesis thinks that Indiawhich advocates regional peace, stability and prosperity can gain more welcome andacceptation from the Asia-Pacific countries.Finally, this thesis believes India’s Asia-Pacific strategy is the important part ofIndia’s world power strategy. The fundamental principle of India’s Asia-Pacificstrategy is “balanced diplomacy”. This principle will run through the whole process ofIndia’s Asia-Pacific strategy, until India becomes the real Asia-Pacific great powerand global power.