Editorial: Chile and the Southeast Pacific

The Chilean Navy ship CS Almirante Blanco Encalada

(Image: Wiki Commons)

By Balaji Chandramohan

The South American country has a growing presence in the Asia-Pacific.

Situated in the Southern Hemisphere at the periphery of global geopolitics, Chile’s rapid economic growth and stable politics has shifted its politico-military strategic orientation from the Southern Cone of South America to the economic growth markets of the Asia-Pacific, with its Polynesian island possessions in the Southeast Pacific serving as springboards.

The Andean country has begun to benefit from both the growing Atlantic-facing economies of Argentina and Brazil while improving its reach courtesy of its assets in the Pacific Ocean. The extent of Chile’s reach in the Pacific Ocean, and in particular Oceania, will be much more visible once the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement is ratified.

As one of the initial proposers of the TPP, Chile will benefit both in terms of increased stature among its peers in Latin America after the multilateral trade agreement comes into effect and a subsequent boost to its economy. That boost will come in part as the TPP will increase trade among Chile’s island possessions in the Pacific Ocean, in the eastern part of the Polynesian Triangle in the Pacific Ocean.

As the geopolitical significance of the South Pacific increases, most of the attention has been directed to the area encompassing the Southwest Pacific, including Micronesia and Melanesia. Here, external players such as the Asian giants India and China increasing their maritime footprints.

In contrast, Chile is developing its presence from the Polynesian islands, which are in the Eastern Part of the Polynesian Triangle. That presence owes much to President Michelle Bachelet and her deft diplomatic touch, which has involved attending the Pacific Islands Forum on a regular basis and building Chile’s soft power among the island countries.

Read the full story at The Diplomat