dc.description.abstract | The Indo-Pacific is witnessing fierce strategic competition as an outcome of employing Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategies by several leading players to gain pre-eminence. These strategies tilt the geostrategic balance in one’s favour, dividing the critical ocean space led by the U.S. and China. As no other maritime space has a diverse geostrategic and geopolitical environment like the Indo-Pacific, these strategic clashes have the potential to impact global peace and stability. This paper focuses on analysing how the clash of Indo-Pacific strategies and initiatives introduced by several players could impact the Indo-Pacific equilibrium leading to global instability? The impact of major players led by the U.S., China, regional organizations, and other players was analysed to comprehend the resultant impact on the Indo-Pacific peace and stability. The paper also examined the policy and strategy implications encountered by island nations like Sri Lanka, in attempting to strike a balance while responding to the Indo-Pacific strategies and initiatives introduced by the two major blocks led by the U.S. and China. The above understanding would assist policymakers in characterizing the Sri Lankan Indo-Pacific strategy and strategizing future foreign policy options. | en_US |