The Indo-Pacific is a strategic system encompassing the Indian and Pacific oceans, reflecting the expanding interests and reach of China and India as well as the enduring role of the US. The Lowy Institute's International Security program presents a weekly selection of links illuminating the changing security picture in this increasingly connected super-region.
- Momentum for a 'beefed-up' Japanese military is building after news broke that ISIS had executed two Japanese hostages late last week.
- In India, Modi's economic reform agenda is facing resistance from hard line Hindu nationalists within his own party.
- India's first ICBM, the Agni-V, successfully completed its latest test launch last week. Once incorporated into India's strategic forces, it will be the first Indian missile capable of striking most of China's major cities.
- Pakistan is reinstating its annual military 'Republic Day Parade', and Xi Jinping is rumoured to be the first guest of honour.
- The foreign ministers of China, India and Russia met in Beijing this week, where they called for 'all states to be involved in creating a "modern security architecture" in the Asia-Pacific'.
- After reports were published online by local government agencies in China that the PLA Navy is building a second aircraft carrier, they mysteriously disappeared.
- The Philippines Navy is being modernised, buoyed by the Australian Navy's donation of two refurbished Balikpapan-class heavy landing craft.
- The US and North Korea have been 'discussing the idea of "talks about talks"'.
- Lastly, it seems China's first nuclear-powered submarine was reverse engineered from a toy.