Ditchley Conference on “The Indo-Pacific: how can we best promote strategic stability, economic growth and the rule of law in the region?”

Screenshot from the Ditchley conference, 2021

I attended the Ditchley Conference on “The Indo-Pacific: how can we best promote strategic stability, economic growth and the rule of law in the region?”. The conference followed a mixed format of in-person and virtual remote participation, and it took place on 22nd October 2021. Over 40 delegates, from various countries such as Australia, UK, USA, China, Singapore and India, participated in the conference. The conference format covered three group themes, with plenty of group discussion time in between the plenary sessions.

Group A: Promotion of the rule of law, human rights, and stability 

Group B: Promotion of innovation, development and economic growth, and climate change 

Group C: Promotion of strategic stability and management of flashpoints

There were three plenary sessions in between the working group discussions. The conference was kicked off by a discussion around “How can strategic competition and strategic collaboration be best balanced in the region?”. Speakers and participants discussed on different subtopics such as standing up for values, building strategic partnerships, AUKUS (the security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States), and human dynamic of international relationship.

Working Group Summaries 

Promotion of the rule of law, human rights, and stability 

This group discussed different issues such as establishing boundaries of trust especially between China and Western Nations in some areas. Respective parties need to acknowledge this and mitigate risks accordingly. The group also talked about the importance to build relationships with SE Asia. The matter of cooperation on human rights was discussed intensely in this group. The rights put in place should be inclusive and all countries should be involved to help both poorer and indigenous people too. On the topic of rule of law, it was agreed that the use of rule of law should be used as an instrument, rather than entire goal of the process. QUAD and AUKUS were examined at different points of the discussion. 

Promotion of innovation, development and economic growth, and climate change 

This group considered the fact that technology is transforming rapidly in Asia. This helps build new industries, sparking entrepreneurship and innovation. The recent pandemic has amplified this further as millions more people come online. The group came to the consensus that we need to cooperate where we can and compete where we must - looking to work towards an open international system which countries want to be a part, where they can succeed and play by the rules. Trade is not just market access; it is about rules and recognising other countries regulations. The need of working with Asian nations to break down the barriers: promoting interoperability and/or neutral recognition. On climate change topic, the group dissected and debated different subjects such as greening the supply chain, trust and leadership in climate change and investing in renewables. 

Promotion of strategic stability and management of flashpoints 

This group examined various subjects such as varying pandemic responses, importance of balance of power in south Asia and the role of the media narrative. For example, looking at the varying pandemic response between the west, where the response was politized and citizens immediately jumped to ideologies in their responses (“Taking away our freedoms!”), versus in China, where there was a greater focus on the well-being of people and respect for science. There was less politicisation of science and the pandemic in the East. Taiwan and a number of other Indo Pacific countries demonstrated effective pandemic responses. Under the subject of importance of balance of power in south Asia, the fact that there will be significant demographic changes in the region over the next decades was also brought to the fore. 

In conclusion, the whole conference is very thought provoking, insightful and informative one. It was convened in timely fashion considering recent ongoing events such as Myanmar coup and China-Taiwan divide. I commend Ditchley Foundation for conducting such a crucial conference that is relevant to urgent issues that the world is facing, as well as for bringing together field experts, policy makers and analysts. The conversations were not censored as normal political settings, and everyone was honest and candid in their opinions. I strongly believe that the ideas shared, and networks built during the conference will contribute significantly toward promoting strategic stability, economic growth and the rule of law in Indo-pacific region.