About The Program

The CFADP Indo-Pacific Security Program examines the opportunities and challenges shaping U.S. strategy in the region, focusing on both bilateral relationships and broader unilateral and multilateral frameworks driving a new security order—one that supports open sea lanes, sovereignty, and long-term stability.

Drawing on expertise across government, defense, and regional affairs, the program bridges analysis with action, developing forward-looking, practical policy solutions to strengthen America’s role in the Indo-Pacific.

At its core, the program is organized around four central research priorities:

Shaping the Balance: The U.S.–China Contest in Security and Statecraft :

Advancing an Integrated and Resilient Indo-Pacific

The defining feature of the Indo-Pacific is the intensifying contest between the United States and China for influence, power, and legitimacy. This competition extends far beyond military posturing, encompassing diplomacy, economic statecraft, technological leadership, and the ability to shape regional rules and norms. Trade, infrastructure investment, supply chains, and digital governance have become as decisive as naval deployments. How this rivalry is managed will shape the balance of power, determine whether the region remains free, open, and governed by international law, and influence the strategic choices of regional states. For allies and partners, the challenge is navigating this competition without being forced into zero-sum choices. Ultimately, the Indo-Pacific will be the central arena shaping the future global order.

South and Central Asia remain critical yet fragile theatres that directly influence Indo-Pacific security. Persistent instability in Afghanistan, the threat of terrorism, and unresolved border disputes continue to reverberate across the wider region. Energy competition, governance challenges, and external influence—whether from China, Russia, or regional power brokers—further complicate U.S. strategy. For Washington, securing stability here demands an integrated approach that blends counterterrorism, economic investment, and diplomacy, while working closely with partners such as India and regional organizations. U.S. lawmakers play a vital role in ensuring sustained attention and resources are devoted to a region too often overshadowed by larger power rivalries. Stability in South and Central Asia is not only essential to local peace but also to the resilience of the broader Indo-Pacific order..

The future stability of the Indo-Pacific depends on more than traditional alliances—it requires a security framework that is integrated, adaptable, and resilient. U.S. lawmakers play an increasingly central role, shaping strategy, funding defense cooperation, and ensuring that America’s regional commitments remain credible over time. Partnerships such as the QUAD linking Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—and AUKUS represent critical pillars of this emerging order. Together, they enable joint military exercises, advanced defense technology collaboration, and stronger maritime security. By fostering a networked approach rather than rigid blocs, the United States and its allies can deter aggression, uphold sovereignty, and sustain a stable balance of power that underwrites peace and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.

India is indispensable to the future of the Indo-Pacific. As the world’s largest democracy, a fast-growing economy, and a rising military power, India has the capacity to shape regional stability and balance. Yet realizing the full promise of the U.S.–India partnership remains unfinished work. Persistent challenges—from trade disputes and defense procurement barriers to divergent strategic traditions—have slowed progress. U.S. lawmakers, alongside policymakers in New Delhi, will need to invest in trust-building measures and bold new initiatives to unlock this partnership’s potential. Expanding cooperation in defense technology, maritime security, clean energy, and critical minerals can anchor a relationship that not only strengthens both nations but also reinforces a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Harnessing the Strategic Potential of U.S.–India Relations: