China/US/India Competition/Cooperation in the Indo/Pacific

 The National Defense University's Joint Force Quarterly published in its most recent edition an essay titled "Building an Enduring U.S.-India Partnership to Secure a Free, Open, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region" by Jeffrey D. Graham, U.S. Department of State.  

The author argues that China poses the greatest threat to a free and open Indo-Pacific region by using its growing economic and military power to deprive the United States of intellectual property and military secrets, to limit economic and security choices for countries in the region, and to attempt to rewrite the rules governing the Indo-Pacific.  By partnering with India, the United States can achieve the political aim of a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region where a robust U.S.-India economic and security partnership counters China's aggressive behavior, disregard for international law and norms, and efforts to recast international institutions.

China, India, US Competition in the Indian Ocean Region

War on the Rocks published on 1 April 2019 an analysis titled "The Great Game Moves To Sea: Tripolar Competition in the Indian Ocean Region" by Harry I. Hannah.

India and China view the Indo-Pacific as extending from the African littoral to Southeast Asia and including parts of the Arabian peninsula and Iran, while America's view excludes areas considered Middle Eastern or African. The author argues that India and China's relative emphasis on non-military foreign policy tools, in contrast to America's use of the armed forces to achieve foreign policy objectives, will determine the fate of the three competing strategies. To counter China, he adds, the United States will need to increase significantly its non-military investments and diplomatic engagement and implement an integrated strategy that considers the whole region--from Southeast Asia, through Iran and Pakistan, and all the way to the African littoral and the Arabian Peninsula.