"The centre of global trade is gradually shifting from the Atlantic region to the Indo-Pacific region." Examine this statement.

Gives a recent example of India building trade links with a Pacific partner, while the small trade base cautions against overstating the shift.

• The India-New Zealand FTA enters into force on 20 October 2026; New Zealand gives zero-duty access to 100% of Indian exports from day one.
• New Zealand has committed to facilitate about $20 billion of investment in India over 15 years, with a rebalancing clause if it falls short.
• Bilateral goods trade was only about $1.1 billion in 2025-26, and both sides aim to roughly double total trade within five years.

Disruption at the Bab el-Mandeb shows how trade between the Indo-Pacific and Europe depends on chokepoints at the Indian Ocean's western edge.

• Estimates of the share of world trade using the Red Sea route range from about 10% to 15%; the Bab el-Mandeb links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
• For India, the route carries much of its trade with Europe, North Africa and the east coast of the Americas; disruption pushes ships around the Cape of Good Hope.
• The U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian (18 December 2023) and the EU's Operation Aspides (19 February 2024) were set up to protect shipping.

India-Vietnam ties show trade, supply-chain and maritime links being deepened with a Southeast Asian partner, illustrating India's economic turn to the Indo-Pacific.

• The 19th Joint Commission agenda covered trade and supply chains and market access for Indian agricultural and pharmaceutical products, besides defence, nuclear energy and space.
• Ties were raised to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2026; Vietnam is the first country in its region with which India has this tier.
• Jaishankar called Vietnam 'a key partner in India's Act East Policy, in Vision MAHASAGAR, and in its outlook of the Indo-Pacific', tying trade and maritime ties to India's Indo-Pacific turn.