Annual Report on the Development of International Relations in the Indian Ocean Region (2014)

This book focuses on international relations in the Indian Ocean region and examines bilateral and multilateral relations in the Indo-Pacific region. Written by leading researchers in the fields of international studies and Indian Ocean studies, the report provides a strategic review, major events and related data in this region. It is divided into three major parts: the General Report examines new characteristics in the relations between great powers, the strategic landscape of South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, and strategic competition and multilateral relations in the Indo-Pacific region. The second part explores current bilateral relations: India-Myanmar, Sino-Myanmar, Sino-India, US-Myanmar, and Japan-Myanmar, while the third highlights issues such as Myanmar’s democratization, India and TPP. Despite the turmoil in this region, the report shows that it will predominantly be one characterized by peace, development and cooperation in the years to come. At the same time, it is vital that a new type of great power relations be established to ensure peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. In closing, the report puts forward a number of suggestions for improving relations between China and Indian Ocean countries.

Part I General Report.- Competition and Cooperation between Great Powers over the Bay of Bengal.- The Strategic Landscape of South Asia and Indian Ocean Region.- Part II Sub-report: Multilateral Relations and Regional Economic Cooperation.- Strategic Competition and Multilateral Relations in Indo-Pacific Region.- Myanmar’s Foreign Policy and Multilateral Relations in the Democracy process.- Sino-Pakistan Economic and Trade Relations: Status Quo and Challenges.- India and TPP: Opportunities and Challenges.- Part III Special Reports: Bilateral Relations and Development in 2013.- India-Myanmar Bilateral Relations: Cooperate Actively and Progress Significantly.- Sino-Myanmar Bilateral Relations in 2013: Develop Steadily and Challenges Existed.- Sino-India Bilateral Relations: Review and Prospects.- US-Myanmar Bilateral Relations: “Constant Variables” and “Independent Variables”.- Adjustment of Japan's policy toward Myanmar since Myanmar's political transition.- Part IV Appendix.- Chronicle of Events of the Indian Ocean Region (2013).- Statistical Data for the Indian Ocean Region.