The US administration has dropped the 'Indo' from its Pacific Command name, sparking concerns in New Delhi about Washington's commitment to the Indo-Pacific concept and the Quad grouping that includes India.
The US defence department announced the change, citing a desire to honour the formation's historical roots, despite its area of responsibility remaining the same.
The move comes amid a rebalancing of ties with China and a week after the death of three Indian seafarers in a US Navy attack off the coast of Oman.
Former Indian Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash described the US move as 'unreliable and poorly thought through', while former ambassador Rajiv Bhatia noted that the Indo-Pacific concept has lost salience since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Experts say the change in the US military command's name may indicate a shift in US policy, with a focus on realism and a new course for alliances and partnerships in the region.
