By reverting the name of the Indo-Pacific back to the US Pacific Command, President Trump has signaled to Modi—who harbored dreams of becoming the regional leader—that Washington no longer requires India’s assistance in South Asia. Dropping the word ‘Indo’ from the title implies a shift in American strategy and priorities concerning the QUAD Alliance. This move has laid bare the diplomatic failure and international isolation of the Modi Government. Senior Indian politician Shashi Tharoor recognized this reality when he described it as the final nail in the coffin for the QUAD. In truth, it is the final nail in the coffin for India’s ambitions of becoming a regional superpower.

The concept of the Indo-Pacific was vital for India. It allowed New Delhi to project itself as a key security partner and an emerging power across both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This decision comes at a time when relations between the United States and India have been strained. New Delhi recently lodged a strong protest after three Indian sailors were killed in the Strait of Hormuz during American operations against Iran, even summoning American diplomats for an explanation. The fact that this name change was announced immediately after the meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit in France cannot be ignored.

The US Pacific Command was originally........

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