Indo-Pacific
Pentagon announces Colby's trip to South Korea and Japan after NDS release
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The Pentagon announced on Saturday that Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby will visit South Korea and Japan this weekend, following the release of the new National Defense Strategy (NDS). The trip aims to advance President Donald Trump's 'peace through strength' agenda, discussing burden-sharing and potential adjustments to U.S. forces on the Korean Peninsula. In response, President Lee Jae Myung stressed that achieving self-reliant defense is the 'most basic of basics.'
A US envoy reaffirmed support for a free and open Indo-Pacific during a Quad meeting in Beijing, as the People's Liberation Army conducted its second day of live-fire exercises around Taiwan. Some analysts argue that the Quad is losing significance under Trump despite this display of unity and deterrence. The grouping is an informal strategic forum aimed at promoting a rules-based Indo-Pacific.
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In late August, former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi adopted documents to boost cooperation in security and economic areas. Key among them is the 'Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade,' a 10-year bilateral roadmap. This agreement arrives amid heightened uncertainty for India, with strained ties to Washington straining the Quad partnership.
President Prabowo Subianto praised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's leadership as the first female leader who masters key issues, after attending the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He highlighted the long-standing ASEAN-Japan partnership as a sturdy anchor for peace in the Indo-Pacific region. Prabowo also urged stronger economic cooperation and energy transitions.