US Indo-Pacific Controversy: After the administration of US President Donald Trump renamed the Pacific Command to the Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) about eight years ago, the US has now decided to revert to its original name, US Pacific Command (USPACOM). The Department of Defense announced this change in a press release issued on Tuesday (local time).
This decision has also sparked a political reaction in India. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took a dig at the move, questioning whether this represents another setback for the Quad.
It is worth noting that this command was originally established on January 1, 1947, by the then-US President Harry Truman. For over seven decades, it operated under the name USPACOM and is considered one of the oldest and largest unified combatant commands of the US military. It was renamed US Indo-Pacific Command in 2018, a change that is now being reversed to the original name.
In its statement, the Department of Defense said, “Restoring the USPACOM name honors the command’s deep historical roots and fosters a sense of pride and collective spirit among all those serving in the Pacific region.”
It further stated, “From its pivotal role in establishing the regional security architecture after World War II to coordinating joint forces during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and countless humanitarian missions, the name USPACOM symbolizes decades of military heritage and enduring regional partnerships.”
US Indo-Pacific Command Was Formed in 2018
According to a report by ‘The Print’, when the command was renamed USINDOPACOM in 2018, it was viewed as a sign of India’s growing importance to the Pentagon. For New Delhi, the 2018 renaming emerged as a significant institutional vehicle for enhancing defense cooperation with Washington.
This command became a symbol of the deepening defense partnership between India and the United States, encompassing extensive joint military exercises, enhanced maritime cooperation, increased intelligence sharing, and broad strategic alignment within the Indo-Pacific framework.
On May 31, 2018, former US Secretary of Defense James Mattis stated, “Relationships with our allies and partners in the Pacific and Indian Oceans have proven vital to maintaining regional stability,” adding, “In recognition of the increasing connectivity between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, today we are renaming US Pacific Command to US Indo-Pacific Command.”
However, the decision to revert to the original name has been made to honor the command’s deep historical roots. The Department of Defense also emphasized that the name change would not alter the command’s operational role, strategic mission, or geographic scope.
According to the statement, the scope of USPACOM’s responsibility—extending from the waters off the US West Coast to India’s western border—will remain unchanged. The department affirmed that its commitment to maintaining a “free and open region” in collaboration with regional allies and partners would continue uninterrupted.
Significance of USPACOM
According to reports, this command has played a pivotal role in shaping the security architecture across Asia since World War II and in coordinating joint military operations during major conflicts—such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars—as well as during humanitarian and disaster-relief missions.
Before this recent change, USINDOPACOM functioned as the primary US military command responsible for operations, planning, defense partnerships, and regional security across the vast Indo-Pacific region. Headquartered in Hawaii, this command oversees a vast strategic region covering the Pacific Ocean, large parts of the Indian Ocean, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and parts of South Asia.
The command’s responsibilities include defense readiness and deterrence, military exercises with allied nations, maritime security operations, disaster relief, and contingency planning.
Shashi Tharoor takes a dig
Political reactions have emerged in India regarding the decision to revert the name to its former form, and Tharoor has taken an indirect dig at the move. Reacting to the announcement, he posted a brief but pointed comment on X: “Is this another nail in the coffin of the ‘Quad’?” He also shared a screenshot of the order issued by the Department of War.
(With agency inputs)