Indo-Pacific seen as common focus among global powers: BIMSTEC chief Indra Mani Pandey

 Kathmandu, July 19

CUTS International launched its major publication “The Innovative Route to Development: Indo-Pacific Perspective” on Thursday through a virtual event that brought together top diplomats, defence experts, development professionals, and thought leaders from across the Indo-Pacific region.

Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, officially unveiled the compendium and delivered the keynote speech. He highlighted that while the Indo-Pacific concept isn’t new, it has become more important in today’s multipolar world. He noted that countries like China, Russia, the EU, and ASEAN have developed their own Indo-Pacific strategies, all emphasizing the region’s central importance. The new compendium, he said, aims to help shape the Indo-Pacific narrative and support both governments and civil society involved in the region.

In his welcome remarks, CUTS Secretary General Pradeep S. Mehta spoke about the region’s diversity and potential, saying that understanding the Indo-Pacific means engaging with its complexity and drive to build a better future.

Several contributors to the compendium shared their insights during the launch:

  • Ambassador Pasi-Heikki Vaaranmaa (Finland’s Permanent Representative to OECD & UNESCO) emphasized the need for human development and public investment in education and skills to ensure long-term growth.

  • Rajinder Singh Bhatia, Chairman of Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd., highlighted India’s growing defence exports and the need to strengthen industry diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.

  • Kim Heriot-Darragh, Research Fellow at the Australia-India Institute, underlined the importance of coordination between military forces, civilians, NGOs, and government institutions for regional security.

  • Lt Gen (Retd.) Vijay Singh discussed India’s evolving military posture in the region.

  • Lt Gen (Retd.) Anil Ahuja, Distinguished Fellow at CUTS Global Affairs, explained the deepening Indo-U.S. tech cooperation through initiatives like iCET and TRUST, which focus on AI, space, and critical minerals.

  • Amrita Narlikar, in her chapter “Ancient Roots of Bharat,” offered a vision of global cooperation inspired by the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or “the world is one family.”

  • Scott Jacobs, Managing Director at Jacobs, Cordova & Associates, pointed to the region’s young entrepreneurs as a key strength and called for regulatory reforms to support startups.

Other contributors included global experts such as Natasha Bhaskar (Newland Global Group, Sydney), Professor Rahul Sen (Auckland University of Technology), Emily Rees (President & CEO, CropLife International), Rear Admiral (Retd.) Yamamoto Katsuya (Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan), Rubayat E Shams Anik (Institute for Policy Advocacy and Governance, Australia), and Ratnakar Adhikari (WTO).

The compendium brings together over 30 authors and covers four main areas: trade & investment, defence & security, technology & innovation, and energy & climate change. CUTS International reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cooperation, producing practical knowledge, and supporting a fair and inclusive Indo-Pacific order.

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