ABSTRACT
Chapter 6 explains India’s steady accession to the ASEAN-affiliated political and security forums like the ARF facilitated IN’s affiliation with important regional forums like the WNPS, RIMPAC, ReCAAP and the other such maritime forums. On hindsight, it is possible to argue that the IN’s own multilateral naval initiatives like the IONS were inspired by its partnership with the Pacific navies and their multilateral exercises like the RIMPAC. In essence, the IN’s regular engagement with these forums stand out as the shining example of India’s Indo-Pacific naval diplomacy.
