• About Us
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
TFI Official Merchandise
TFI English
TFI हिन्दी
Monday, December 4, 2023
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result

As India takes Philippines away from China, Japan begins working on Vietnam and Indonesia

Akshay Narang by Akshay Narang
October 1, 2020
in Indian Subcontinent
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
India, Japan, China
600
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on X

China is being given some of the most decisive blows in the Indo-Pacific, as the QUAD- an informal strategic group comprising India, Japan, the US and Australia seems to have made up its mind to go all out in containing China’s influence. India and Japan- the two key Quad constituents are now wooing ASEAN members in a bid to kick China out of Southeast Asia.

First, India attempted to take the Philippines away from China by working towards a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Manila. And now Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is eyeing two other ASEAN members- Vietnam and Indonesia as a part of his first overseas trip after coming at the helm of affairs.

Also Read

The rouble effect catches on with ASEAN nations as dollar continues its decline

South East Asia suddenly stands at the brink of a full blown food crisis

Japan and India are thus turning the tide against China in Southeast Asia, which happens to be at the core of the Quad’s Indo-Pacific strategy to check Beijing’s growing influence. While the Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines are having common interests with the Quad, including their shared concerns against Chinese expansionism, belligerence and its Salami-slicing tactics in the South China Sea, it seems that the ASEAN hasn’t deserted China in the Quad’s favour.

The Southeast Asian nations remain ambivalent. On the one hand, they have eye security cooperation with the Quad, but, on the other hand, they find it hard to forgo the offer of China’s huge market, investments and trade potential. Countries like the Philippines, therefore, haven’t made a final choice as of now.

It is in this context that India and Japan are now going the extra mile to ensure that the ASEAN members choose the Quad over China. While India has already made a lucrative offer to Manila, Suga would try to advance his predecessor Shinzo Abe’s vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific”, in case the Japanese PM’s visit to Indonesia and Vietnam materialises.

Japan is capitalising upon the growing anti-China sentiment in both Vietnam and Indonesia. Vietnam has been one of the fiercest critics of Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea, while Indonesia is also growing wary of China over the latter’s aggressive manoeuvres in Indonesian waters.

Though Suga’s visit will only be finalised after examining the COVID-19 situation in Japan and the two Southeast Asian nations, Suga has at least shown the commitment towards following his predecessor Shinzo Abe’s Indo-Pacific policy. As a matter of fact, even Abe had visited Vietnam and Indonesia after coming to power in 2012, and Suga seems to be taking his legacy forward.

Here, the Japanese PM is also lending a helping hand to Japan’s security ally- the United States, which has been battling China for greater influence in Southeast Asia. In fact, even in his inaugural news conference, Suga had said, “I will pursue diplomatic policies based on a functional Japan-U.S. alliance.”

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato too has underscored the importance of a “free and open Indo-Pacific”. Kato said, “The diplomatic environment surrounding Japan is becoming harder to foresee and control, given the growing national particularism and the U.S.-China tensions. … We would like to strategically and steadily promote the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific by working with partners sharing the same values.”

Needless to reiterate, references to a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” in context of Southeast Asian nations is invariably a reference to the goal of hemming in the growing Chinese belligerence in the strategic waterways of South China Sea. While the Southeast Asian Nations are the ones directly facing belligerence in the disputed waterways, Quad members are concerned with Beijing’s bid to claim the entire South China Sea because it creates hurdles in freedom of navigation in the region.

Suga is therefore exploring and creating a lot of common ground between the Quad and Southeast Asia with his Indo-Pacific strategy. The US alone cannot help Southeast Asia swing away from China. Therefore, the latest bid by India and Japan to firmly back up Washington’s Indo-Pacific powerplay is going to be gamechanger. The Quad is finally in action and it seems that the strategic alliance is going to woo the entire region away from China.

Tags: Southeast Asia
Share3205TweetSend
Previous Post

Pakistan is playing a dangerous game by instigating anti-Shia protests to divert attention of opposition

Next Post

For the Vatican, Trump is not Christian enough but the Godless Chinese Communist Party is

Also Read

Russian Oil EU

India’s foreign minister went to the EU and destroyed it with their own laws

May 17, 2023
Chakkulathukavu Devi Temple thumbnail

Chakkulathukavu Devi Temple, Timings, History, Travel Guide and How to reach

April 23, 2023
Jambukeswarar Temple

Jambukeswarar Temple, Timings, History, Travel Guide and How to reach

April 23, 2023
10 things science still can’t explain

Beyond the Known: 10 Unexplained things science still can’t explain

April 18, 2023
Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms of use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Zelensky has two shining Yachts. Biden you Lovely Rich Rascal!

Zelensky has two shining Yachts. Biden you Lovely Rich Rascal!

November 28, 2023
Did the US just lose its “Nuclear” War with Russia? Strong evidences emerge

Did the US just lose its “Nuclear” War with Russia? Strong evidences emerge

November 30, 2023
Lashon Dixon with family

Lashon Thompson aka Lashon Dixon: Biography and Career

January 30, 2022
Pig Farm Scandal, Trudeau and extremely gory details: Do you have the stomach for it?

Pig Farm Scandal, Trudeau and extremely gory details: Do you have the stomach for it?

June 29, 2023
Canada Writes a Suicide Letter and sends it to Ukraine

Canada Writes a Suicide Letter and sends it to Ukraine

November 30, 2023
Numbers, Facts and Data that suggest a Poilievre Tsunami in Canada

Numbers, Facts and Data that suggest a Poilievre Tsunami in Canada

December 4, 2023
Finland is the new Crimea. And Soon!

Finland is the new Crimea. And Soon!

December 4, 2023
Jagmeet’s Career will be over in 3 Months

Jagmeet’s Career will be over in 3 Months

December 2, 2023
The Hard Truth about CSIS, a HELL for Women!

The Hard Truth about CSIS, a HELL for Women!

December 1, 2023
After Sweden, Slovakia and the Netherlands, Romania is also going RIGHT

After Sweden, Slovakia and the Netherlands, Romania is also going RIGHT

December 1, 2023
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobal
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Follow us on Twitter

and never miss an insightful take by the TFIGlobal team

Follow @tfiglobal
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.