Sino-US Escalating Competition in Indo-Pacific Ocean: Challenges and Choices for Pakistan

Abstract

The Indo-Pacific Ocean has gained significant international focus in the 21st century. It plays a crucial role as a habitat for many countries and enables more than 80% of global trade through its sea routes. The region's abundant energy resources make it extremely important, leading great powers to compete for dominance. The rise of China in the region, together with the declining power of the United States, has forced the United States to assertively cultivate new alliances with regional states and strengthen existing partnerships. Simultaneously, China is making significant investments in neighbouring states to create and strengthen diplomatic relations. The ongoing power struggle between the US and China is having a negative impact on the neighbouring states in the region. The United States and India's strategic cooperation has prompted the area to indulge in an arms race, due to the longstanding hostilities with Pakistan. Due to Pakistan's crucial involvement in China's vital initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the country is unable to disengage from the complexities of intense competition among major powers.