US Asia Reassurance Initiative Act ARIA And Rim Of Pacific Exercise RIMPAC

The US President signed the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) into law to counter China's growing influence and reinforce US leadership in the Indo-Pacific region. ARIA aims to bolster US security, economic interests, and values by addressing China's activities in the South China Sea and its coercive economic practices. The act emphasizes the strategic partnership between the US and India, advocating for stronger diplomatic, economic, and security ties, and allocates $1.5 billion over five years to enhance cooperation with regional allies.

In a related move, the US renamed its Pacific Command (PACOM) to the US Indo-Pacific Command, signaling the integration of East Asia and the Indian Ocean Region into a single strategic space, with India as a central partner. The US also initiated the Indo-Pacific Business Forum to support the economic dimensions of its Indo-Pacific Strategy. The 26th edition of the Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercise, hosted by the US Indo-Pacific Command under the theme 'Capable, Adaptive, Partners,' saw participation from Brazil, Israel, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam for the first time. India's INS Sahyadri participated, while China was disinvited due to its military actions in the South China Sea. The Indian Navy had previously participated as an observer in 2006, 2010, and 2012.

US Strategy in the Indo-Pacific: ARIA, RIMPAC, and the Emerging US-India Partnership

The year 2019 witnessed a significant consolidation of the United States' strategy in the Indo-Pacific region, marked by the enactment of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA), the renaming of the US Pacific Command (PACOM) to the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), the launch of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum, and the execution of the Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise. These initiatives collectively underscored a multi-faceted approach designed to address the shifting geopolitical landscape, primarily driven by the rise of China and the imperative to maintain a balance of power in the region. At the heart of this strategy lies a deepening strategic partnership between the United States and India, recognizing India's pivotal role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific.

The Genesis of ARIA: Countering China's Ascendancy

The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA), signed into law by the US President, represents a formal legislative commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. It's genesis lies in growing concerns within the US establishment regarding China's increasingly assertive foreign policy, its rapid military modernization, and its expanding economic influence across Asia. ARIA is, in essence, a strategic response designed to counter these trends and reaffirm US leadership in the region.

The Act's core objective is to bolster US security, economic interests, and values in the Indo-Pacific. It does this by allocating significant financial resources – $1.5 billion over five years – to enhance cooperation with regional allies and partners. This funding is earmarked for a variety of initiatives, including strengthening maritime security, promoting good governance, and fostering economic development. A crucial element of ARIA is its explicit focus on countering China's activities in the South China Sea. The Act condemns China's construction of artificial islands, its militarization of these features, and its attempts to assert expansive territorial claims that are inconsistent with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Furthermore, ARIA addresses concerns about China's "coercive economic practices," a term that refers to the use of economic leverage to exert political pressure on other countries. This includes instances where China has restricted trade or investment in response to political disagreements, or where it has used its economic power to gain unfair advantages in negotiations.

The Indo-Pacific Construct: A Geopolitical Reimagining

The renaming of the US Pacific Command (PACOM) to the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) was more than just a symbolic gesture; it reflected a fundamental shift in strategic thinking. For decades, US foreign policy had largely treated East Asia and the Indian Ocean Region as distinct theaters. However, the rise of China and the increasing interconnectedness of the global economy made it clear that these regions were inextricably linked.

The Indo-Pacific concept recognizes that the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are not separate bodies of water, but rather a single, integrated maritime space. This space is characterized by complex patterns of trade, investment, and security interactions. The renaming of PACOM to INDOPACOM signaled the US's intention to adopt a more holistic approach to regional security, one that takes into account the interconnectedness of these two vital regions.

The Indo-Pacific construct also reflects the growing strategic importance of the Indian Ocean Region. For centuries, the Indian Ocean has been a critical artery for global trade, connecting Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. As China's economic and military power has grown, it has increasingly sought to project its influence into the Indian Ocean, raising concerns among other regional powers, including India. By embracing the Indo-Pacific concept, the US has signaled its commitment to working with India and other partners to maintain a balance of power in the Indian Ocean and to ensure that it remains a free and open waterway.

The Indo-Pacific Business Forum: An Economic Pillar

Recognizing that security is not the only dimension of the Indo-Pacific strategy, the US launched the Indo-Pacific Business Forum. This forum is designed to promote US economic engagement in the region and to foster closer economic ties between the US and its partners. The forum brings together government officials, business leaders, and academics from across the Indo-Pacific to discuss opportunities for trade, investment, and economic cooperation.

The Indo-Pacific Business Forum is intended to serve as a platform for promoting US investment in the region, particularly in infrastructure development. The US has long been critical of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), arguing that it is often characterized by unsustainable debt burdens and a lack of transparency. The Indo-Pacific Business Forum is seen as a way to offer an alternative model of infrastructure development, one that is based on high standards of governance, environmental protection, and financial sustainability.

RIMPAC: Forging Maritime Interoperability

The Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise is the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise, hosted biennially by the US Indo-Pacific Command. RIMPAC brings together navies from across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond to conduct a wide range of training exercises, including anti-submarine warfare, air defense, maritime interdiction, and amphibious operations.

The primary purpose of RIMPAC is to enhance interoperability and cooperation among participating navies. By training together, navies from different countries can learn to operate more effectively together in the event of a crisis or conflict. RIMPAC also provides an opportunity for navies to share best practices and to develop common standards for maritime operations.

The 2019 edition of RIMPAC was particularly notable for several reasons. First, it saw the participation of Brazil, Israel, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam for the first time. This reflects the growing interest in maritime security among countries from across the globe. Second, China was disinvited from RIMPAC due to its military actions in the South China Sea. This was a clear signal of US disapproval of China's behavior and a demonstration of its commitment to upholding international law in the region. Third, India's INS Sahyadri participated in the exercise, further underscoring the growing strategic partnership between the US and India.

The US-India Strategic Partnership: A Cornerstone of the Indo-Pacific Strategy

The US strategy in the Indo-Pacific is predicated on the idea that the US cannot achieve its goals in the region without the support of strong and capable partners. Among these partners, India stands out as particularly important. India is a rising economic and military power with a long history of democratic governance. It shares many of the US's values and interests in the Indo-Pacific region, including a commitment to a free and open maritime order, a desire to counter China's growing influence, and a commitment to promoting economic development and regional stability.

The strategic partnership between the US and India has been steadily growing for over two decades. In the early 2000s, the two countries began to deepen their defense cooperation, conducting joint military exercises and sharing intelligence. In 2008, the US and India signed a landmark civil nuclear agreement, which paved the way for greater cooperation in the field of nuclear energy. In recent years, the US and India have further strengthened their strategic partnership, working together on a wide range of issues, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security.

The US recognizes India as a major player in the Indo-Pacific region and views it as a critical partner in its efforts to maintain a balance of power and to promote a rules-based order. ARIA explicitly emphasizes the strategic partnership between the US and India, calling for stronger diplomatic, economic, and security ties. The US has also expressed its support for India's role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.

China's Perspective: A Challenge to the US-Led Order

China views the US strategy in the Indo-Pacific with suspicion and concern. It sees ARIA, the renaming of PACOM to INDOPACOM, and the RIMPAC exercise as part of a broader effort by the US to contain its rise and to prevent it from becoming a dominant power in the region. China argues that the US is exaggerating the threat it poses to regional stability and that its actions in the South China Sea are entirely legitimate.

China asserts its sovereignty over a vast swathe of the South China Sea, claiming historic rights to the area that are not recognized by international law. It has built artificial islands on disputed reefs and shoals and has militarized these features, deploying advanced weapons systems and aircraft. China argues that these actions are necessary to protect its sovereignty and security interests, but its neighbors and the US view them as a violation of international law and a threat to freedom of navigation.

China also criticizes the US for interfering in its internal affairs, particularly with regard to Taiwan and Hong Kong. It accuses the US of using human rights as a pretext for meddling in its domestic politics and of supporting separatist movements. China believes that the US is trying to undermine its political system and to prevent it from achieving its goals of national reunification and economic development.

The South China Sea: A Flashpoint for Conflict

The South China Sea remains a major flashpoint for conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. China's expansive territorial claims and its military buildup in the area have raised tensions with its neighbors, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. These countries also have competing claims to the South China Sea and have been increasingly vocal in their opposition to China's actions.

The US has repeatedly stated that it does not take a position on the competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, but it insists that all disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. The US has also conducted freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea, sending warships and aircraft into the area to challenge China's excessive maritime claims.

These FONOPs have been met with strong protests from China, which accuses the US of deliberately provoking tensions and undermining regional stability. China has warned the US to stop conducting FONOPs and has threatened to take countermeasures if it continues to do so. The risk of a military confrontation between the US and China in the South China Sea remains a serious concern.

UNCLOS: The Legal Framework for Maritime Disputes

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the primary legal framework for governing maritime activities, including navigation, resource management, and maritime boundaries. UNCLOS establishes a comprehensive set of rules and principles that are designed to promote the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes and to ensure the sustainable use of the world's oceans.

UNCLOS defines the rights and obligations of states with regard to territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and the high seas. It also establishes procedures for resolving disputes over maritime boundaries and for regulating activities such as fishing, shipping, and seabed mining.

The US has not ratified UNCLOS, but it recognizes it as customary international law and generally adheres to its provisions. China has ratified UNCLOS, but its interpretation of the convention is often at odds with that of other countries, particularly with regard to the South China Sea. China argues that its historic rights in the South China Sea supersede the provisions of UNCLOS, a position that is widely rejected by the international community.

The disputes in the South China Sea highlight the importance of UNCLOS as a legal framework for resolving maritime disputes. However, the convention is only effective if all parties are willing to abide by its provisions and to respect the rulings of international tribunals.

The Quad: A Security Dialogue

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is an informal strategic dialogue between the US, India, Japan, and Australia. The Quad was originally formed in 2007, but it was revived in 2017 in response to growing concerns about China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Quad is not a formal military alliance, but it is a forum for discussing security issues of mutual concern and for coordinating responses to regional challenges. The Quad members have conducted joint naval exercises and have shared intelligence on maritime security threats.

China views the Quad with suspicion, seeing it as an attempt to contain its rise and to undermine its influence in the Indo-Pacific region. China has accused the Quad members of engaging in Cold War-style bloc politics and has warned them against forming an anti-China coalition.

The Quad's future remains uncertain, but it has emerged as an important platform for security cooperation among the US, India, Japan, and Australia. The Quad's success will depend on its ability to maintain its focus on shared interests and to avoid being perceived as an anti-China alliance.

Historical Precedents: Echoes of the Past

The US strategy in the Indo-Pacific is not entirely new. It has historical precedents in previous US efforts to maintain a balance of power in Asia and to contain the rise of potential adversaries.

One relevant historical precedent is the US pivot to Asia during the Obama administration. The pivot to Asia was a strategic reorientation of US foreign policy towards the Asia-Pacific region, designed to address the growing economic and military importance of the region. The pivot included increased US military deployments in the region, stronger economic ties with Asian countries, and a greater emphasis on diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

The US pivot to Asia was motivated in part by concerns about China's growing power and influence. The Obama administration believed that the US needed to rebalance its resources and attention towards Asia in order to maintain its leadership role in the region.

Another relevant historical precedent is the Cold War rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, the US pursued a strategy of containment, designed to prevent the spread of communism. The US formed alliances with countries around the world and deployed military forces to strategic locations in order to deter Soviet aggression.

The US strategy in the Indo-Pacific today shares some similarities with the Cold War strategy of containment. The US is seeking to build alliances and partnerships with countries in the region in order to counter China's growing influence. However, there are also important differences between the two strategies. The Cold War was characterized by a bipolar world order, while the Indo-Pacific region is characterized by a multipolar world order. The US is not seeking to isolate China, but rather to integrate it into the international system as a responsible stakeholder.

Stakeholder Positions: Diverging Interests

The US, China, and India have distinct and often conflicting interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Understanding these interests is crucial for analyzing the dynamics of the region and for predicting future developments.

The US is committed to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, based on international law and respect for sovereignty. The US seeks to protect its economic and security interests in the region, to promote a rules-based order, and to maintain its global leadership role. The US views China as a potential challenger to its dominance and is seeking to counter its growing influence.

China asserts its sovereignty over disputed territories in the South China Sea and promotes its own vision of regional order. China seeks to expand its economic and political influence in the region, to secure access to resources, and to challenge US dominance. China views the US strategy in the Indo-Pacific as an attempt to contain its rise and to prevent it from achieving its goals.

India supports a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, based on international law and respect for sovereignty. India seeks to protect its maritime security, to promote its economic interests, and to balance China's growing influence. India views the US as a valuable partner in its efforts to achieve these goals.

Broader Implications: A Shifting World Order

The US strategy in the Indo-Pacific has broad implications for the political, diplomatic, legal, security, and economic landscape of the region.

Politically, the US strategy has led to increased geopolitical competition between the US and China. The two countries are vying for influence in the region, and their rivalry is shaping the foreign policies of other countries.

Diplomatically, the US strategy has strengthened US alliances and partnerships in the region, particularly with India. The US is working with its allies and partners to coordinate their responses to regional challenges and to promote a common vision of the Indo-Pacific.

Legally, the US strategy has increased scrutiny of China's actions in the South China Sea under international law. The US is challenging China's excessive maritime claims and is supporting efforts to resolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with UNCLOS.

Security-wise, the US strategy has heightened the focus on maritime security and the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. The US is deploying military forces to the region and is conducting joint military exercises with its allies and partners in order to deter aggression and to maintain stability.

Economically, the US strategy has increased trade and investment flows between the US and its partners in the region. The US is promoting economic cooperation and is seeking to create a level playing field for businesses operating in the Indo-Pacific.

Related Ongoing Issues: A Complex Web

The US strategy in the Indo-Pacific is closely linked to a number of other ongoing issues in the region, including the South China Sea disputes, the US-China trade war, India-China border tensions, and the Quad security dialogue.

The South China Sea disputes are a major source of tension in the region. China's expansive territorial claims and its military buildup in the area have raised concerns among its neighbors and the US.

The US-China trade war has further strained relations between the two countries. The US has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, and China has retaliated with its own tariffs. The trade war has had a negative impact on the global economy and has added to the uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific region.

India-China border tensions have also been a source of concern. The two countries have a long-standing border dispute, and there have been several clashes between their troops in recent years.

The Quad security dialogue is an attempt to coordinate the responses of the US, India, Japan, and Australia to regional challenges. The Quad members have conducted joint naval exercises and have shared intelligence on maritime security threats.

Future Outlook: An Uncertain Trajectory

The Indo-Pacific region will likely remain a focal point of geopolitical competition in the years to come. The US and China will continue to vie for influence in the region, and their rivalry will shape the foreign policies of other countries.

India's role as a key strategic partner will continue to grow. The US will likely seek to further strengthen its ties with India in order to counter China's growing influence.

Regional security dynamics will be shaped by the balance of power between the US, China, and India. The US will need to work with its allies and partners to maintain a stable balance of power and to deter aggression.

The future of the Indo-Pacific region is uncertain, but it is clear that the region will play an increasingly important role in global affairs. The US, China, and India will all have a major stake in shaping the future of the region.