Indo-Pacific region : evolving strategic contours

China's rise since the end of the Cold War and particularly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks has created a shift in the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. This shift has called into question the dominant position of the US in the region, as China challenges the US both economically and militarily. India's role in southwest Asia. sharing a disputed border with China and now more engaged in Southeast and East Asian affairs has added to the complexity of security relationships. More recently, maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea, impacting both ownership of resources and freedom of navigation of critical sea lines of communication, have increased volatility in the region, as China's so-called 'peaceful rise' is no longer viewed as being all-benign. As a result, Indo-Pacific countries are reformulating their individual strategic contours by entering into bilateral, and in some cases multilateral, security and geo-strategic arrangements. The United States has also reacted to this changing strategic landscape, announcing in 2011 a 'pivot' or 'rebalance' to Asia to ensure it remains engaged and relevant in the region. This paper will discuss the trajectory of Indo-Pacific security relationships, analysing the evolving strategic construct, cooperation, friction and challenges.27 page(s