Answer

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR), covering 20% of the Earth’s surface and connecting 26 nations, is a critical trade artery handling 70% of global container traffic and 80% of India’s external trade. With China’s expanding naval presence, the QUAD alliance strengthening security ties, and rising competition over maritime resources, the IOR has become a geopolitical hotspot shaping global power dynamics.

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is emerging as the new centre of global geopolitics due to its strategic significance and economic potential

Strategic Significance

• Key Sea Lanes for Trade: The IOR connects major global economies, with key chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, Malacca Strait, and Bab el Mandeb facilitating crucial energy and trade flows.
  For example: Over 80% of India’s external trade and 90% of its energy imports pass through the Indian Ocean, making its security a strategic necessity.
• Major Military Presence: The US, UK, France, and China have established military bases in the region, enhancing their naval presence and securing strategic maritime routes.
  For example: The US maintains its Diego Garcia military base, while China has built its first overseas military base in Djibouti, expanding its influence in the IOR.
• Rising Maritime Security Threats: Piracy, sea-borne terrorism, illegal fishing, and arms smuggling have turned the region into a hotspot for maritime security concerns requiring coordinated international action.
  For example: The Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Sankalp’ in 2019 to ensure the safe passage of oil tankers amidst tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Economic Potential

• Crucial Energy Trade Route: The IOR is the primary transit route for oil shipments from the Middle East to Asia, Europe, and the Americas, making it indispensable for global energy security.
  For example: Nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint in the Indian Ocean.
• Thriving Blue Economy: The region supports a thriving blue economy, including fisheries, aquaculture, and deep-sea mining, contributing significantly to national and regional economies.
  For example: The Indian Ocean is home to some of the most important fisheries on Earth, accounting for over 14% of global wild-caught fish.
• Strategic Ports and Trade: Ports like JNPT (India), Chabahar (Iran) and Colombo (Sri Lanka) are emerging as key trade hubs, enhancing the region’s economic relevance.
  For example: India is developing Chabahar Port in Iran as a strategic trade route to bypass Pakistan and access Central Asia, boosting regional connectivity.

Rising Global Power Competition in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

• China’s Expanding Naval Presence: China is aggressively expanding its military and economic influence through naval bases, port acquisitions, and maritime patrols in the IOR.
  For example: China established its first overseas military base in Djibouti and controls key ports like Gwadar (Pakistan) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka) under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• European Powers Expanding Presence: France, with its territories like Réunion and Mayotte, is deepening security and trade partnerships, while the EU is increasing engagement in maritime security.
  For example: France stationed permanent naval forces in the Indian Ocean and launched the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy to counter China’s maritime expansion.
• US Strengthening Indo-Pacific Strategy: The US, UK, Japan, and Australia are increasing their military cooperation and strategic deployments to counter China’s growing dominance in the region.
  For example: The AUKUS pact (Australia, UK, US) enhances nuclear submarine capabilities, while the QUAD alliance conducts joint naval drills like Malabar to maintain regional balance.
• Competition Over Undersea Resources: Nations are competing to control undersea communication cables, rare-earth mineral deposits, and deep-sea energy reserves in the Indian Ocean.
  For example: Chinese firm Huawei is laying undersea internet cables in the IOR, raising security concerns for India and Western powers over data control and surveillance.

India’s Role In Ensuring Regional Stability Amidst Rising Global Power Competition

• SAGAR for Maritime Cooperation: India launched Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) to enhance maritime security, economic cooperation, and sustainable development in the IOR.
  For example: Under SAGAR, India provided naval assistance to Mozambique and Madagascar during natural disasters, strengthening regional security cooperation.
• Naval Exercises & Patrols: The Indian Navy conducts joint exercises like Malabar, Milan, and SIMBEX to enhance maritime security and regional cooperation against threats like piracy and terrorism.
  For example: Malabar Exercise (with the US, Japan, and Australia) strengthens India’s QUAD partnership, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Countering China’s Influence: India is enhancing its naval bases, developing strategic partnerships, and increasing investments in IOR countries to counter China’s growing influence.
  For example: India developed Agalega Island (Mauritius) and Assumption Island (Seychelles) naval facilities to counterbalance China’s military expansion.
• Economic & Development Ties: India offers financial aid, infrastructure development, and trade agreements to enhance its influence and goodwill in the region.
  For example: India invested $500 million in Colombo Port’s West Container Terminal to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative projects in Sri Lanka.
• Humanitarian & Disaster Relief (HADR): India actively provides relief aid, medical support, and rescue operations in the region, enhancing its credibility as a responsible regional power.
  For example: Operation Vanilla (2020) saw the Indian Navy providing relief to Madagascar after a devastating cyclone Diane, reinforcing India’s role as a first responder.

India’s Role in Securing Its National Interests Amidst Rising Global Power Competition

• Strengthening Maritime Security: India is expanding its naval capabilities and securing key chokepoints to protect its trade routes and counter threats like piracy and sea-borne terrorism.
  For example: The Indian Navy’s Mission-Based Deployments (MBDs) ensure continuous presence in strategic locations like the Malacca Strait and Gulf of Aden to safeguard Indian interests.
• Strategic Military Alliances: India collaborates with like-minded nations through military exercises and defense agreements to enhance its strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  For example: The QUAD grouping (India, US, Japan, Australia) strengthens India’s position in the Indo-Pacific, countering China’s aggressive expansion.
• Countering China’s String of Pearls: India is developing strategic partnerships (Necklace of Diamond Strategy) and naval bases in IOR nations to prevent Chinese encirclement through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
  For example: India developed Chabahar Port in Iran to bypass Pakistan and counter China’s Gwadar Port in Pakistan under BRI.
• Boosting Defense Infrastructure: India is modernizing its naval fleet, commissioning new aircraft carriers, and increasing defense spending to maintain a strong maritime presence.
  For example: The INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, strengthens India’s blue-water capabilities in the IOR.

India’s role in the Indian Ocean Region is pivotal. By strengthening maritime security, fostering regional cooperation, and enhancing economic partnerships, India can ensure national security, stability, and prosperity while securing its position in global geopolitics. “To be secure on land, we must be supreme at sea” – Jawaharlal Nehru. 

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