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OPINION JULY 30, 2021 | The Indian Eye 13

accelerate its own strategies The “China Plus One” strat- (FOIP) strategy; and Austra- regionally as well as multilat-
to attract foreign investments, egy finds in SCRI a democrat- lia’s Pacific Step-up to provide erally. EU’s “Asia connectiv-
expand economic growth, and ic, rules-based and transparent support to Pacific-island coun- ity” strategy and the Master
pose a challenge to China in sec- partner, led by three of the tries, the SCRI members could Plan on ASEAN Connectivity
tors like telecom and technolo- most important Indo-Pacific mark synergy between a “Chi- (MPAC) 2025 could be poten-
gy, auto, cellular, tech, pharma- powers. Through Japan’s Ex- na Plus One” implementation tial areas for collaboration.
ceutical ingredients and textiles. panded Partnership for Quality
Initiatives such as the SCRI can Infrastructure (EPQI); India’s Jagannath P. Panda is Research Fellow at Manohar Parrikar Institute
provide India with an addition- Sagarmala (to enhance the lo- for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi
al crucial avenue to further gistics sector), Bharatmala (for Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
bolster its ties with like-mind- roads and highways), and the
ed strategic partners, which Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative views of the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the Government of India
can help realise its regional/ (IPOI) for maritime security This is the abridged version of the article which appeared first in the
global economic goals and en- and stability; the US’ BDN and Comment section of the website (www.idsa.in) of Manohar Parrikar
hance its position in the region. Free and Open Indo-Pacific Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, New Delhi on July 28, 2021

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