Published by ORF Middle East.
The idea of an ‘Indo-Pacific’ has gained popularity in the past two decades, but its relevance to the Gulf region remains contested. As the global influence of Asia grows and competition between the US and China increases in the Gulf, the relationship between the Gulf countries and the Indo-Pacific becomes ever more important. While some believe that the Gulf should be included within the Indo-Pacific framework, the countries themselves tend to take the stance that it should not and generally avoid using the term. They are wary that association with the framework, which is often perceived as being against Beijing, could threaten their relationship with China, their largest trade partner. Still, regardless of terminology, Gulf engagement with the countries in the Indo-Pacific is expanding not only in trade but also in defence.