India’s G Minus Two Strategy

Context

The visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand reflect India’s new ‘G Minus Two’ policy of building strategic ties with the key Asian nations and balancing the strategic competition between the United States and China.

Key Highlights

• India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is traveling to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand to further strengthen India’s strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The visits coincide with shifting US-China relations, a resurgence of geopolitical tensions, and concerns regarding security and economic resilience in the region.
• This “G Minus Two” plan in India aims to enhance regional integration among Asian nations instead of focusing on the Indo-Pacific in terms of the US-China rivalry.

What does the ‘G Minus Two’ Strategy mean?

• “G Minus Two” was the idea of cooperation among Asian countries that doesn’t rely solely on China or the United States.
• It is not an anti-China alliance; it is not a replacement for the US’s partnership.
• Rather, it aims to expand the strategic space that can be occupied by regional powers through increased economic, technological and security cooperation.

Why is the Strategy Important?

• Managing US-China Competition

  • Competition between the United States and China remains a strategic buzzword in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • India wants to be both strategic and flexible, both with the U.S. and with China.

• Strengthening Regional Partnerships

  • India is forming partnerships with countries like Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.
  • These partnerships enhance regional stability, technological cooperation and economic resilience.

• Building Economic Security

  • The Asian economies continue to be strongly tied to China’s economy.
  • Countries are not decoupling economies but “de-risking” through diversifying supply chains and minimizing strategic risks.

Significance of Partner Countries

• Indonesia

  • Strategically placed between the Indian Ocean & the Pacific Ocean.
  • Is key to maritime security and ASEAN-led regional architecture.

• Australia

  • One of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) key partners.
  • Facilitates maritime security and critical minerals and defence cooperation.

• New Zealand

  • Provides opportunities for agriculture, education, diversification of trade, clean technologies.

• Japan and South Korea

  • Increase expenditure on advanced manufacturing, semiconductor technology, defence production and infrastructure.
  • Boost industrial and technological capacities of India.

Strategic Significance for India

• Enhances India’s role as a leading Indo-Pacific power.
• Expands defence and technology partnerships.
• Shares and enhances Indian Ocean Region maritime security.
• Promotes resilient supply chains and economic security.
• Supports India’s vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

Challenges

• The balancing act between the U.S. and China is tricky in the diplomatic arena.
• China’s growing military and economic power continues to influence the region.
• Regional cooperation shall need to fit in different strategic priorities of the partners.
• To reap the benefits of strategic partnership, India needs to boost its manufacturing and innovation as well as its defence capabilities at home.

Way Forward

• Improve defence partnership, maritime domain awareness and joint military drills with Indo-Pacific nations.
• Increase partnership in semiconductors, AI and critical minerals and emerging technologies.
• Promote resilient and diversified regional supply chains.
• Increase ASEAN engagement and re-emphasize the role of the Indo-Pacific framework.
• Speed up the process of domestic economic reforms and modernization of defence capability to boost India’s strategic confidence.
• Go on the road to strategic independence while continuing to build a balanced relationship with key world powers.

Conclusion

• The “G Minus Two” strategy is a practical and sensible measure to the changing geopolitics in the Indo Pacific region.
• India aims to build a stable, resilient and multipolar regional order by enhancing its partnership with key Asian countries, while keeping a strategic distance.
• The success of this strategy will rely not just on diplomacy, but on economic transformation, technological development, and defence preparedness of India.

Source: The Indian Express

Mains PYQ

Q. ‘The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate. (2019)

Download as PDF