Indian Ocean: Strategic Significance & India’s Role

General Studies Paper -2

Context: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for a “coordinated flotilla” to promote stability and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

His remarks highlight the growing geopolitical competition and security challenges in the region, necessitating multilateral maritime collaboration.

About the Indian Ocean

• Geographic Overview:
  • Third Largest Ocean: Spans 9,600 km from the Bay of Bengal to Antarctica and 7,800 km from South Africa to Western Australia.
    • Coastline: 70,000 km, including major economies like India, Australia, and African nations.
  • Population & Coastal Influence: Home to 35% of the world’s population and 40% of the global coastline.
• Historical & Civilizational Significance:
  • Named after India, reflecting its historical and cultural influence on maritime trade.
  • Served as a key trade route since the first millennium, connecting India with Arab lands, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
  • The Silk Route & Spice Trade flourished via the Indian Ocean, linking Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• Strategic Importance:
  • A critical global trade route, facilitating 70% of the world’s container traffic.
  • 80% of India’s external trade and 90% of its energy imports pass through the Indian Ocean.
  • Key oil supply routes from West Asia to India, China, Japan, and Europe traverse the region.
• Control of Maritime Chokepoints: India’s central position in IOR provides strategic leverage over:
• Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman) – Vital for oil shipments.
• Bab el-Mandeb (Yemen-Djibouti) – Entry to the Red Sea & Suez Canal.
• Strait of Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia) – Key trade passage for East Asia.

Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

• Maritime Security Threats: Frequent pirate attacks & trafficking, particularly near Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
• Economic & Environmental Issues: Overfishing and deep-sea mining threaten marine ecosystems.
• Climate Change & Rising Sea Levels: Small island nations face coastal erosion and submersion risks.
• Humanitarian Crises & Disasters: Natural disasters like cyclones, tsunamis, and oil spills require coordinated disaster response.
• Geopolitical Rivalries: Growing influence of the U.S., China, UK, and France fuels power struggles in the region.

India’s Policy Shift in the Indian Ocean

Strengthening Regional Ties:

• India is actively engaging with IOR nations through:
  • Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) – A key diplomatic platform initiated by India.
  • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) – Multilateral cooperation on economic and maritime security.
  • Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) – Enhancing naval interoperability and intelligence sharing.
  • Colombo Security Conclave – Focuses on maritime security & counterterrorism with Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius.

SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region):

• Launched in 2015 under PM Modi, this initiative aims to:
• Strengthen India’s leadership in IOR.
• Ensure free and open sea lanes for secure global trade.
• Promote sustainable maritime development.

Enhancing Blue-Water Capabilities:

• Naval Expansion: India is modernizing its navy by inducting indigenous aircraft carriers and advanced submarines.
• Maritime Surveillance: Deployment of P-8I Poseidon aircraft, and satellite-based tracking systems.
• Quad Cooperation: India, U.S., Japan, and Australia collaborate on maritime security, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence sharing.