Indo-Pacific Geopolitics and US-India Relations

About the Talk:

The term "Indo-Pacific" has emerged as an important geopolitical concept in recent years and refers to the inter-linked destinies of the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific regions. The rise in prominence of this term indicates the eastward shift in the world's economic centre of gravity towards the Asian continent and highlights the relevance of maritime strategy in shaping geopolitical outcomes in the twenty-first century. Arguably, the transition from the term "Asia-Pacific" to "Indo-Pacific" also reflects the rising importance of India as a "natural" balancer in the region. This change in terminology also reflects an attempt to redefine the region in a way that limits the narrative of Chinese strategic dominance by underscoring India and the United States as the "two bookends of stability" -- to borrow the words of former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Mr. Ashley J. Tellis will explore the etymology of the “Indo-Pacific” using classical geopolitical theory to explain the implications of China’s rise for the United States and India, the vital importance of strong U.S.-India relations for American and Indian national interests, and the strategic necessity of prudently preparing for the return of global bipolarity amidst economic interdependence.

About the Speaker:

Ashley J. Tellis holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specialising in international security and U.S. foreign and defense policy with a special focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent. While on assignment to the U.S. Department of State as senior adviser to the undersecretary of State for political affairs, he was intimately involved in negotiating the civil nuclear agreement with India. Previously he was commissioned into the Foreign Service and served as senior adviser to the ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. He also served on the National Security Council staff as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. Tellis earned his PhD in political science from the University of Chicago. He also holds an MA in political science from the University of Chicago and both BA and MA degrees in economics from the University of Bombay.