(Video) Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) The Big Picture: Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative

Topic: Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative

Guest:

Commander Abhijit Singh (Retd., Head, Maritime Policy Initiative, Observer Research Foundation)
Ashok Sajjanhar, (Former Ambassador)
K. V. Prasad, (Senior Associate Editor, The Tribune)

Topic Description:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday proposed a new initiative to create a safe and secure maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific, indicating India's readiness to play a bigger role in the region where China has been expanding its military assertiveness. PM Modi floated the idea of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative during his address at the 14th East Asia Summit, a premier forum in the Asia-Pacific region dealing with issues relating security and defence. Apart from the 10 ASEAN member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia. The ASEAN's current chair Thailand and Australia welcomed the Prime Minister’s proposal. Reflecting growing congruence of interests in the region, senior officials of the Quad' countries also held consultations on Monday on the situation in the Indo-Pacific.