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.
- Narendra Modi has just started his three-day trip to China, his first as prime minister of India. The visit is already full of symbolism, as Modi is not arriving in Beijing but greeting Xi Jinping in Shaanxi province, where Xi's father was born.
- While there are positive signs at the leadership level, there continues to be rumblings about Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean.
- Japan has purchased 17 new V-22 Osprey's aircraft from the US.
- Earlier this week, the Pentagon released its annual report to the US Congress on China's military. Andrew Erickson has a short breakdown of the report in the Wall Street Journal and a longer one in The National Interest.
- US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has requested options from the Pentagon on how to counter Chinese island building in the South China Sea. This follows the head of the Philippines military declaring that they are prepared to defend disputed island territory in the South China Sea.
- Japan held its first joint-naval exercises with the Philippines this week.
- The leader of Taiwan's main opposition party, Tsai Ing-wen, will be visiting the US later this month. She has been warned by China's Taiwan Affairs Office to not engage in any '"Taiwan independence" separatist activities in the international arena.'
- It appears that North Korea successfully test-launched a ballistic missile from a submerged submarine. Robert Kelly provided some initial reactions for The Interpreter and I wrote a follow-up on the implications for anti-submarine warfare in the region. IHS Jane's has a detailed report on the incident.
- Here's a list of 'whats for sale' with the easing of Japan's military export rules. Japan's defence companies have never had to compete on the international market, and may find themselves behind their international competitors.
- Check out this Australian Parliamentary Library report on Russia in the Indo-Pacific (h/t Geoffrey Wade).
- Lastly, 'not an ordinary welcome' for Modi in China:
