Unveiling President Donald Trump's economic strategy for advancing a "free and open" Indo-Pacific, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today announced USD 113 million in new regional investments focused on digital connectivity, infrastructure and energy, amidst China flexing its military muscles in the region.
In an apparent dig at China's ambitious One-Belt-One-Road (OBOR) initiative, Pompeo said the US believes "in strategic partnerships, not strategic dependence" and added that it is clearly in America's strategic interest to deepen its engagement in the region.
The US recently renamed its oldest and largest military command - the Pacific Command - to Indo-Pacific Command, in a largely symbolic move to signal India's importance.
"President Trump will strike while the iron is hot, because there are clear economic benefits at hand for the American people. Our Indo-Pacific vision excludes no nation," Pompeo said in his address to the first Indo-Pacific Business Forum organised by the US Chambers of Commerce.
"We seek to work with anyone to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, so long as that cooperation adheres to the highest standards that our citizens demand. The US is committed to growing our presence in the region because we want Americans and all people of the Indo-Pacific to share in the economic growth of 2020, 2030, 2040, and beyond," he said.
Last year, President Trump said in Vietnam, the Indo-Pacific is "a beautiful constellation of nations, each its own bright star, satellites to none and each one a people, a culture, a way of life, a home."