ISAS Insights

The Donald Trump administration in the United States (US) has expanded its articulation of a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ (FOIP) region by announcing strategic investments and economic cooperation. India and Japan are fundamental to the realisation of the US vision of the region. For India and Japan, however, a deeper commitment to the US vision would depend on several factors. These include the prospects of the FOIP becoming a securityoriented strategy to counter China, as opposed to a regional connectivity programme; avoiding the legitimacy issues encountered by China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); and acquiring an inclusive character.