Introduction
India's geopolitical and strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) have been shaped by its historical maritime presence, economic dependencies, and security imperatives. As a peninsular nation with a 7,500 km coastline, India has always relied on the Indian Ocean for trade, energy security, and strategic defense. The Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision, India's leadership in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and active engagement in regional maritime security initiatives highlight India's commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.
However, geopolitical rivalries, China's strategic expansion through the "String of Pearls" strategy, maritime security threats, and environmental concerns pose challenges. This essay examines India’s maritime diplomacy, key initiatives, regional partnerships, and the challenges it faces in countering China’s growing influence in the IOR.
India’s Strategic Vision: SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
Launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the SAGAR vision serves as the foundation for India's maritime strategy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It aims to promote cooperative security, economic connectivity, sustainable development, and regional stability. The key objectives include:
1. Maritime Security Enhancement
- Strengthening maritime surveillance, anti-piracy efforts, and naval cooperation.
- Building India’s Blue Water Navy for power projection in the region.
- Collaboration with Indian Ocean littoral states for security assistance.
2. Disaster Risk Management & Humanitarian Assistance
- India has been at the forefront of disaster relief efforts in the region.
- Key operations include:
- Operation Rahat (2015): Evacuation of Indian and foreign nationals from war-torn Yemen.
- Operation Samudra Setu (2020): COVID-19 repatriation mission.
- Tsunami Relief (2004): India provided immediate aid to Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia.
3. Blue Economy and Sustainable Development
- Promoting sustainable fisheries, marine biodiversity conservation, and renewable energy projects in Indian Ocean island nations.
- Collaborating with Seychelles, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka on marine resource management.
4. Regional Cooperation & Capacity Building
- Assisting smaller island nations with coastal security infrastructure.
- Developing joint naval exercises like MILAN, Malabar, and SIMBEX with regional partners.
India’s SAGAR vision aligns with its broader Indo-Pacific strategy and strengthens its diplomatic engagement in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the Indian Navy-led initiatives, and QUAD partnerships.
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): India’s Leadership in Regional Cooperation
India is a founding member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which was established in 1997 to foster economic, security, and trade cooperation among 23 member states bordering the Indian Ocean. India's role in IORA aligns with its SAGAR vision, focusing on:
1. Maritime Security and Freedom of Navigation
- India promotes adherence to United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Strengthening regional Coast Guard collaborations for anti-piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling control.
- Establishing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) mechanisms.
2. Economic and Trade Development
- India facilitates infrastructure development and trade connectivity through IORA’s Indian Ocean Dialogue.
- Encouraging investments in ports, digital trade, and blue economy initiatives.
3. Fisheries and Marine Environmental Protection
- Leading efforts in climate resilience, sustainable fisheries, and disaster response in Maldives, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka.
India’s engagement in IORA complements its bilateral partnerships, QUAD collaborations, and regional naval exercises, making it a key player in Indian Ocean geopolitics.
Geopolitical Challenges: The China Factor & The ‘String of Pearls’ Strategy
China’s growing strategic presence in the Indian Ocean poses a direct challenge to India’s security and influence in the region. The "String of Pearls" strategy refers to China’s network of military and commercial ports across the IOR, designed to secure its trade routes and encircle India strategically.
1. Key Chinese ‘Pearls’ in the Indian Ocean
China has invested in critical port infrastructure projects across the Indian Ocean:
- Gwadar Port (Pakistan): Part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), giving China access to the Arabian Sea.
- Hambantota Port (Sri Lanka): Leased to China for 99 years, increasing Beijing’s maritime foothold.
- Kyaukpyu Port (Myanmar): Allows China to bypass the Strait of Malacca choke point.
- Djibouti Naval Base (Horn of Africa): China’s first overseas military base, increasing its operational reach.
These developments have raised concerns about China’s dual-use strategy, where ostensibly commercial ports can serve military purposes in times of conflict.
2. India’s Strategic Countermeasures
In response to China’s aggressive expansion, India has taken several steps to counterbalance Beijing’s influence:
- "Necklace of Diamonds" Strategy: Strengthening naval bases, military partnerships, and regional connectivity projects.
- Assumption Island (Seychelles) and Agalega (Mauritius): Indian naval outposts to counter China’s activities.
- Chabahar Port (Iran): India’s alternative trade route bypassing China’s Gwadar port in Pakistan.
- Greater engagement with ASEAN, QUAD, and Australia to curb China's assertiveness.
India’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, defense collaborations, and economic connectivity initiatives aim to limit Chinese hegemony and maintain regional stability.
India’s Partnerships and Naval Initiatives in the Indian Ocean
India has strengthened bilateral and multilateral security collaborations in the region:
1. QUAD (India, USA, Japan, Australia)
- Enhancing joint naval patrols and exercises (Malabar Exercise).
- Ensuring freedom of navigation in Indo-Pacific waters.
2. Naval Exercises and Security Dialogues
- MALABAR (QUAD Naval Drill)
- MILAN (Indian Ocean Naval Exercise)
- SIMBEX (India-Singapore Naval Exercise)
- DOSTI (India-Maldives-Sri Lanka Coast Guard Exercise)
3. Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
- Strengthening maritime domain awareness, trade, and sustainable development.
- India leads disaster risk reduction and marine ecology programs.
4. SAGARMALA and Blue Economy Expansion
- India’s SAGARMALA initiative focuses on port-led development.
- Enhancing coastal infrastructure and trade corridors.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While India’s Indian Ocean diplomacy has strengthened regional partnerships, challenges remain:
1. Security Threats: Piracy, Illegal Fishing & Terrorism
- The rise of non-state actors, piracy threats (Somalia), and narco-terrorism require enhanced vigilance.
2. Infrastructure and Economic Competition
- China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) offers large-scale investments that India struggles to match.
3. Climate Change and Maritime Disasters
- Rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and climate change impact coastal communities and infrastructure.
4. US-China Rivalry & India’s Role
- Balancing strategic partnerships without direct confrontation with China is critical.
Conclusion: India’s Evolving Leadership in the Indian Ocean
India’s Indian Ocean diplomacy is a mix of strategic defense, economic cooperation, and regional development. Through SAGAR, IORA, QUAD, and Indo-Pacific collaborations, India aims to maintain a free, open, and rules-based maritime order. However, China’s expansionist strategy, regional security challenges, and infrastructure constraints require India to enhance its naval presence, deepen regional partnerships, and leverage its geostrategic position effectively.
In the coming years, India’s success in shaping the Indian Ocean’s geopolitical landscape will depend on its ability to balance strategic autonomy, economic investments, and diplomatic engagements to ensure long-term peace, prosperity, and security in the region.
