ABSTRACT
Traditional geopolitical studies as per S. B. Cohen’s analysis (see Chapter 1) identify four geostrategic/geopolitical regions in the world. These regions are collectively now a part of the Indo-Pacific region. This region is currently the main centre of gravity in world politics today. It is the centre of demographic and economic growth along with heightened militarization, troublesome territorial disputes and contested space among the powers. Many major and minor powers are fully engaged in the Indo-Pacific region (IPR) with respect to their military, economic, diplomatic and cultural activities. This region is a game-changing arena because all relevant powers recognize the importance of staying in the game, and the major issues of our time are being pursued in the IPR arena. War is not inevitable in this region because existing channels of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy create a prospect of peaceful cooperation, or at least manageable instability, as nation-states navigate between two imperatives: security and development. What are the features of this massive region, and what are the themes underlying its development?
