The Indo-Pacific region and West Asia have historically been treated as two distinct spheres of strategic consideration, but the rising interdependencies in geopolitical, economic, and security spheres are increasingly blurring the lines between the two regions. This paper seeks to examine the Red Sea as the primary geographical feature linking the two regions strategically,
while also analyzing the ascendance of minilateralism as the primary mode of diplomacy through which nations are navigating emerging areas of shared interests. As a critical conduit of global commerce, the Red Sea, as well as its southern chokepoint, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, are critical routes through which Indo-Pacific commerce as well as West Asian energy exports are routed.
The strategic importance of the Red Sea was underscored by the Houthi militant attacks on commercial vessels in 2023-24, which led to a 50% reduction in Suez Canal traffic while compelling nations to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope.
In this context, the present paper argues that the traditional multilateral architecture has been structurally unsuitable to address the inter-regional security and economic challenges emerging
from the Red Sea littoral. In their place, minilateral formations defined by limited membership,
issue specificity, and operational dynamism have emerged as more effective instruments for regional governance. The I2U2 architecture, bringing together India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, has been examined as a paradigmatic case study for the emergence and evolution of minilateral formations. In its focus on issues like food security, clean energy, and connectivity infrastructure, the I2U2 has been seen to underscore the potential for the institutionalisation of strategic convergence between the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Persian Gulf without the need for the establishment of traditional alliances. The potential and limitations of the I2U2, and its long-term prospects for reshaping the regional strategic architecture, have been examined in the final sections.
Red Sea, Indo-Pacific, West Asia, Minilateral, I2U2, Maritime Security, Bab-el-Mandeb, Strategic Convergence
. Bridging the Indo-Pacific and the West Asia: The Strategic Significance of the Red Sea in Emerging Minilateralism. Indian Journal of Modern Research and Reviews. 2026; 4(3):321-327
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