Abstract :
The Indian Ocean is the region which would be the center of conflicts among world powers
in near future. Major powers of the world have their strategic and economic interests in the
Indian Ocean. U.S. sole super power of the world, in the current timeframe, has been
changing its policies in the Indian Ocean keeping in view its vital interests. Under Trump
administration, U.S. policies in the Indian Ocean has been diverted from Obama?s
administration. India considers the Indian Ocean as its backyard. U.S. sole hegemonic
power wants to have supremacy over the ocean that is why U.S. has shared responsibilities
with India to control politics of the Ocean. Indo-U.S. strategic partnership has been
strengthened by signing deals such as Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.
They have also joined naval forces. They are actively patrolling and conducting deep-rooted
Malabar exercise in the Indian Ocean. The study focuses on the geopolitical complexities
which converge the interest of India and U.S. in the ocean. These developments have
serious implications for regional security and regional actors like Pakistan. China is the
most important factor in the changing geopolitics of Indian Ocean. Case study method has
been applied to study implications for Pakistan in Indian Ocean. Primary and secondary
data have been collected for the research. It has been concluded that China plays the role of
regional balancer for Pakistan in Gwadar port regarding Indo-U.S. strategic partnership in
Indian Ocean Region. In order to maintain asymmetrical balance in the region, Pakistan has
to revisit its strategic and maritime policy keeping in view its crucial role in the ocean.
Keyword :
Indian Ocean Region, Indo-U.S. Strategic Partnership, Implications for Pakistan, China’s factor.