04 Jul China Criticises India–Japan’s ‘FREE AND OPEN INDO-PACIFIC’ STAND

 

‘FREE AND OPEN INDO-PACIFIC’ STAND

Geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific Region

 

 

 

Relevance:

International Relations  •  Internal & Maritime Security  •  India’s Role in Emerging Global Order

China strongly criticised the joint India–Japan commitment towards a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) after the recent India–Japan Annual Summit. Beijing stated that such initiatives “will never win genuine recognition”, arguing that regional cooperation should not target any third country.

The remarks came after India and Japan reaffirmed cooperation on maritime security, defence technology, critical minerals, AI, resilient supply chains and the Indo-Pacific framework.

📌 Exam Nugget •  China’s line: FOIP initiatives “will never win genuine recognition.” •  China opposes “exclusive groupings” and blocs aimed at any third country. •  Context event: 16th India–Japan Annual Summit.

At the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit, both countries:

●    Reaffirmed commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)

●    Strengthened defence cooperation

●    Agreed on co-development of defence technologies

●    Signed agreements on Artificial Intelligence

●    Expanded cooperation on critical minerals

●    Focused on resilient supply chains

●    Enhanced maritime security cooperation

China responded by opposing “exclusive groupings” and warned against cooperation directed against third countries.

A strategic vision initially promoted by Japan under former PM Shinzo Abe. It aims to ensure:

●    Freedom of navigation

●    Rule-based international order

●    Respect for international law

●    Peaceful settlement of disputes

●    Maritime security

●    Connectivity

●    Free trade

●    Inclusive regional development

★  India’s stance: supports an INCLUSIVE Indo-Pacific — open to all countries, respecting sovereignty and international law.

Geographic span:

●    Eastern coast of Africa

●    Indian Ocean

●    South China Sea

●    Western Pacific Ocean

Why it is the world’s most important strategic region

Factor	Significance
Global Trade	More than half of world trade passes through it
Sea Lanes	Connects Asia, Africa and Europe
Energy Routes	Contains vital energy transportation corridors
Flashpoints	Home to several major geopolitical flashpoints

Economic Importance

●    Nearly 95% of India’s trade by volume moves through sea routes

●    Energy imports pass through Indian Ocean sea lanes

●    Supply chains depend upon stable maritime routes

Strategic Importance

●    China’s growing naval presence

●    Security of the Indian Ocean Region

●    Protection of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs)

Diplomatic Importance

●    Strengthens India’s Act East Policy

●    Supports India’s role as a net security provider

●    Enhances cooperation with ASEAN, Japan, Australia and the US

📌 Key Statistic •  ≈ 95% of India’s trade BY VOLUME moves via sea routes — a number worth memorising for Prelims.

●    SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)

●    Act East Policy

●    Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

●    Strategic autonomy

●    Inclusive regional cooperation

Unlike some countries, India consistently states that the Indo-Pacific is inclusive and not directed against any particular nation.

India and Japan enjoy a Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Domain	Areas of Cooperation
Defence	Joint military exercises, defence technology, maritime security, defence industrial cooperation
Economy	Infrastructure investment, High-Speed Rail Project, supply chain resilience, critical minerals
Technology	Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, digital infrastructure, cyber security
Energy	Green hydrogen, renewable energy, clean technology

China views FOIP as an attempt to:

●    Balance China’s growing influence

●    Strengthen democratic partnerships

●    Reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains

●    Counter Chinese maritime assertiveness

●    Expand QUAD cooperation

China generally opposes security arrangements that may reduce its strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Members

#	Member Country
1	India
2	Japan
3	United States
4	Australia

Objectives

●    Maritime security

●    Disaster relief

●    Vaccine cooperation

●    Supply chain resilience

●    Critical technologies

●    Cyber security

●    Infrastructure

📌 Note it Well •  India maintains that the QUAD is NOT a military alliance — it is a platform for practical cooperation. (Frequently tested distinction in Prelims/Mains.)

1. Freedom of Navigation (FON)

Ships of all countries should enjoy peaceful navigation under international law.

2. UNCLOS (1982)

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) governs:

●    Territorial waters

●    Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

●    Continental Shelf

●    High Seas

●    Navigation rights

3. Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs)

Major maritime routes used for trade, energy transportation and naval movement. Key examples:

SLOC	Region
Strait of Malacca	Between Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore
Strait of Hormuz	Persian Gulf / Gulf of Oman
Bab-el-Mandeb	Between Yemen, Djibouti & Eritrea

4. Critical Minerals

Mineral	Key Application
Lithium	Electric Vehicles, batteries
Cobalt	Defence, batteries
Nickel	Semiconductors, alloys
Rare Earth Elements	Renewable energy, electronics, defence

Dimension	Key Benefits
Strategic	Balances regional power; promotes rules-based order; enhances maritime security
Economic	Diversifies supply chains; attracts investment; improves technology transfer
Defence	Defence manufacturing; joint exercises; maritime domain awareness
Technology	AI; semiconductors; green technologies

●    Chinese opposition

●    Regional geopolitical tensions

●    Taiwan Strait tensions

●    South China Sea disputes

●    Balancing strategic autonomy with partnerships

●    Dependence on global supply chains

●    Maintain dialogue with China

●    Expand strategic ties with Japan

●    Strengthen QUAD cooperation

●    Promote ASEAN centrality

●    Avoid military bloc politics

●    Support a multipolar Indo-Pacific

📌 Mains Value-Add •  This balanced approach is a classic example of India’s principle of ‘Strategic Autonomy’ — cooperate widely, align with none. Use this line in Mains answers on India’s foreign policy.

Important Terms

Term	Term	Term
FOIP	Indo-Pacific	IPOI
SAGAR	QUAD	UNCLOS
EEZ	Critical Minerals	Maritime Domain Awareness
Supply Chain Resilience

Previous UPSC Linkages

Questions have repeatedly appeared on:

●    QUAD

●    Indo-Pacific

●    Act East Policy

●    UNCLOS

●    South China Sea

●    Maritime Security

●    ASEAN

●    Japan–India relations

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding FOIP:

●    1. The concept was originally promoted by Japan.

●    2. It emphasizes freedom of navigation and a rules-based international order.

●    3. India officially describes the Indo-Pacific as an exclusive military alliance against China.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

●    A. 1 and 2 only

●    B. 2 and 3 only

●    C. 1 and 3 only

●    D. 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: A

Q2. Which of the following are members of the QUAD?

●    1. India

●    2. Japan

●    3. Australia

●    4. South Korea

●    5. United States

Select the correct answer using the code below:

●    A. 1, 2 and 3 only

●    B. 2, 3 and 4 only

●    C. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

●    D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

✅ Answer: C

GS Paper II  |  15 Marks  |  250 Words

📌 Mains Question •  “The Indo-Pacific has emerged as the principal theatre of strategic competition in the 21st century. Discuss the significance of India–Japan cooperation in promoting a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific while maintaining India’s strategic autonomy.”