The Indo-Pacific is a strategic system encompassing the Indian and Pacific oceans, reflecting the expanding interests and reach of China and India as well as the enduring role of the US. The Lowy Institute's International Security program presents a weekly selection of links illuminating the changing security picture in this increasingly connected super-region.
- US Senators who head the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter expressing concern over China's expanding land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea. The disputes in the East China Sea also need some crisis management attention.
- Has the US-UK split over the whether to join the Chinese-backed AIIB exposed significant divisions over the question of how to accommodate a rising China?
- Sam Roggeveen was in India last week and has written on his impressions of the country's strategic debate.
- The Indian Navy has raised alarm with the government over China's deployment of a nuclear attack submarine to the Indian Ocean late last year.
- China now operates more attack submarines than the US. But the US Navy is confident that it retains a qualitative advantage.
- It seems China has invited Japan to its World War II commemorations in September. Also, Japan's largest warship since the war, a helicopter destroyer, has entered service.
- The Japanese Self Defense Force intercepted more Russian Tu-95 bombers off Japan's coast this week.