Recently, India with its Indian Ocean partners like Singapore and Oman, is hosting the Eighth Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Muscat 

India-Oman Maritime Relations

• Historical Ties: Oman, like India, has a rich seafaring history, with maritime connections dating back over 5,000 years.
• Strategic Partners: The two nations are strategic partners, collaborating on regional development and security.

Historical Significance of the Indian Ocean

• Naming: Unlike the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, which derive their names from Greek mythology, the Indian Ocean is named after India’s historical and cultural impact on the region.
  • “Hind Mahasagar” and “Indian Ocean” have been widely recognized by voyagers for millennia.
• Ancient Trade Networks: The Indian Ocean served as a vital trade route for Indian merchants, including the Manigramam Chettis and Nanadesis. 
  • Indian dynasties such as the Pallavas, Cholas, and Andhras actively engaged in maritime commerce, strengthening regional trade links.
•  Importance in Ancient Texts: Kautilya’s Arthashastra emphasized the significance of maritime trade and naval power in economic and strategic planning.
• Indian Maritime Influence: The Chinese traveler Fa-Hien documented in 415 CE that his voyage from Ceylon to Sri Vijaya (modern Indonesia) included 200 merchants which followed the “Brahmanical religion,” highlighting India’s maritime reach.
• Colonial Control: During the first millennium, India held a dominant economic position in the Indian Ocean trade network. 
  • Over time, European colonial powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, took control of maritime routes, diminishing India’s autonomy over oceanic trade.
• Early Warning: K M Panikkar, a distinguished diplomat and India’s ambassador to China and France, was among the first to highlight the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean. 
  • In his 1945 book, India and the Indian Ocean, he emphasized India’s peninsular geography and its dependence on maritime trade.

Neglect of Maritime Power

• Colonial Approach: The British, despite being prominent seafarers, did not invest in developing a strong blue-water navy for India during their 200-year rule.
• Post-Independence Strategy: After Independence, Indian governments prioritized land-based warfare, sidelining the strategic importance of oceans. 
  • The naval and shipbuilding sectors received minimal attention, limiting India’s maritime growth.
• India’s Lag: Due to decades of neglect, India remained behind other major powers in shipbuilding and naval vessel production.
• Global Ranking: India ranks 20th in global shipbuilding with only 0.06% market share.
• Continental Mindset:  Despite Panikkar’s insights, Indian leadership remained preoccupied with land-based security concerns. The government’s focus on continental threats led to the neglect of maritime strategy and naval expansion. 
  • This oversight delayed India’s emergence as a major maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region.

Significance of the Indian Ocean

• Cultural Connect: While the “Indo-Pacific” is a geopolitical construct marked by big power rivalries, the Indian Ocean represents a historical and cultural continuum.
  • Unlike the Indo-Pacific, where strategic competition dominates, the Indian Ocean has been a hub of peaceful exchanges for centuries.
• Expanse: The Indian Ocean, the third-largest ocean in the world, connects 26 coastal nations through trade, heritage, and shared history.
• Access for Landlocked Nations: The Indian Ocean is vital not only for coastal states but also for landlocked countries like Nepal and Bhutan, serving as their primary access to global trade and connectivity.
• Economic importance: From the Persian Gulf to the Strait of Malacca, the Indian Ocean is the main trading artery for many countries in the world. The Indian Ocean is a critical global trade route as it –
  • Handles 70% of the world’s container traffic.
  • Facilitates 80% of India’s external trade and 90% of its energy trade.
• Global Presence: The Indian Ocean today is a strategic space with increasing military and commercial activities. The US and UK, with their Diego Garcia base, and France with Reunion Island, are already active in the region.
  • Also, China is investing heavily in the region to spread its influence.

Measures Taken by India to Enhance its Maritime Influence

• SAGAR Policy: Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has pursued a proactive maritime strategy. The SAGAR Initiative (Security And Growth for All in the Region), launched in 2015, aims to enhance regional stability and cooperation.
• Blue Water Policy: India seeks to establish itself as both an influential blue-water power and a leading voice for the Global South.

Emerging Challenges in the Indian Ocean

• Contested Space: The Indian Ocean is now a heavily contested space with surface and underwater activity from major naval forces.
• Influence of China: Undersea communication networks, traditionally managed by European firms, now include Chinese-built Huawei submarine cables.
• Threats: Key threats in the region include:
  • Piracy and sea-borne terrorism
  • Illegal fishing and arms trafficking
  • Climate change and rising sea levels
  • Humanitarian crises, including disaster relief and evacuations

Regional Maritime Leadership

• Theory of Maritime Power: Alfred Mahan’s theory states that maritime supremacy in the Indian Ocean leads to global influence.
• Strategic Forum: The Indian Ocean Conference  provides a platform for regional leaders to ensure that the Indian Ocean remains under their collective management.

Conclusion

Strengthening maritime cooperation is critical for India’s rise as a dominant power in the Indo-Pacific. A strong naval presence, strategic partnerships, and economic influence will enable India to shape regional dynamics.

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