Context

The provocative actions taken by China, North Korea and Russia have prompted the United States and its closest allies in the Indo-Pacific to ramp up military capabilities and deepen their cooperation. 

About

What prompted US to ramp up activities in Indo-Pacific Ocean?

• North Korea’s record number of missile launches last year
• Beijing’s “no limits” relationship with Moscow
• China’s unrelenting expansion of militarized air bases in the South China Sea
• Chinese spy balloon spotted over sensitive nuclear sites in Montana

How US allies are working towards the goal?

• Japan: In December, Japan announced it will massively hike its defense budgetand buy U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles.
• Philippines: The Philippines would allow U.S. troops to access four additional military sitesin the country.
• Australia: The country is expected to unveil a path forward to acquire nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the United States and Britain — a plan that is likely to include rotational deployment of U.S. submarines in Australia to help the navy there train its crews.

What is India’s stand?

• India, an important partner in the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy, has been willing to cooperate with the United States in military exercises and most recently in defense technology.
• But, keen to preserve its policy of strategic autonomy, it has avoided becoming part of any multilateral security arrangement or joining any coalition to pressure Russia or China.