The Sino-US strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region: implications for regional actors

Abstract

The Indo-Pacific region has become the strategic theatre for twenty-first century great power rivalry between the United States and China. The paper aims to analyze the dynamics of Sino-US strategic competition and its implications for regional stability, security architecture, and the agency of local actors. The article addresses key flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific region that includes the South China Sea disputes, East China Sea tensions, the Taiwan issue, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. These challenges contribute significantly to heightened insecurity, maritime tensions, and the risk of escalation. The paper also analyzes the responses of key regional states -India, the Philippines, and Pakistan as these three countries pursue distinct approaches. The findings suggest that the Indo-Pacific is more than a geographic theater of US-China rivalry. It is the crucible of the emerging global order. The outcome of this competition will not only determine regional security but also influence the character of international politics in the twenty-first century. The interplay between great power strategies and regional responses is therefore essential for anticipating future challenges and opportunities in an evolving multipolar world.