{"id":155752,"date":"2025-02-17T21:42:58","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T16:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=editorial-analysis&#038;p=155752"},"modified":"2025-02-17T21:42:58","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T16:12:58","slug":"india-oman-maritime-relations","status":"publish","type":"editorial-analysis","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/india-oman-maritime-relations","title":{"rendered":"What India Needs to do in the Indian Ocean"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, <\/span><b>India with its Indian Ocean <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">partners like<\/span><b> Singapore and Oman, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is hosting the <\/span><b>Eighth Indian Ocean Conference (IOC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Muscat\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>India-Oman Maritime Relations<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Historical Ties: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oman, like India, has a rich seafaring history, with maritime connections dating back over 5,000 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strategic Partners:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The two nations are strategic partners, collaborating on regional development and security.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Historical Significance of the Indian Ocean<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Naming:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Unlike the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, which derive their names from Greek mythology, the Indian Ocean is named after India&#8217;s historical and cultural impact on the region.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHind Mahasagar\u201d and \u201cIndian Ocean\u201d have been widely recognized by voyagers for millennia.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ancient Trade Networks: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Indian Ocean served as a vital trade route for Indian merchants, including the Manigramam Chettis and Nanadesis.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian dynasties such as the Pallavas, Cholas, and Andhras actively engaged in maritime commerce, strengthening regional trade links.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>\u00a0Importance in Ancient Texts: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kautilya\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arthashastra<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> emphasized the significance of maritime trade and naval power in economic and strategic planning.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Indian Maritime Influence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chinese traveler<\/span><b> Fa-Hien <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">documented in 415 CE that his voyage from<\/span><b> Ceylon to Sri Vijaya (modern Indonesia)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> included 200 merchants which followed the \u201cBrahmanical religion,\u201d highlighting India&#8217;s maritime reach.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Colonial Control: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the first millennium, India held a dominant economic position in the Indian Ocean trade network.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, European colonial powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, took control of maritime routes, diminishing India&#8217;s autonomy over oceanic trade.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Early Warning: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">K M Panikkar, a distinguished diplomat and India\u2019s ambassador to China and France, was among the first to highlight the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In his 1945 book, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India and the Indian Ocean<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, he emphasized India&#8217;s peninsular geography and its dependence on maritime trade.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Neglect of Maritime Power<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Colonial Approach: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The British, despite being prominent seafarers, did not invest in developing a strong blue-water navy for India during their 200-year rule.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Post-Independence Strategy: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After Independence, Indian governments prioritized land-based warfare, sidelining the strategic importance of oceans.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The naval and shipbuilding sectors received minimal attention, limiting India&#8217;s maritime growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India\u2019s Lag: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to decades of neglect, India remained behind other major powers in shipbuilding and naval vessel production.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Global Ranking<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India ranks <\/span><b>20th in global shipbuilding<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with only 0.06% market share.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Continental Mindset:\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite Panikkar\u2019s insights, Indian leadership remained preoccupied with land-based security concerns. The government\u2019s focus on continental threats led to the neglect of maritime strategy and naval expansion.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This oversight delayed India\u2019s emergence as a major maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Significance of the Indian Ocean<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cultural Connect:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While the <\/span><b>\u201cIndo-Pacific\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a geopolitical construct marked by big power rivalries, the <\/span><b>Indian Ocean<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> represents a historical and cultural continuum.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike the Indo-Pacific, where strategic competition dominates, the Indian Ocean has been a hub of peaceful exchanges for centuries.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expanse:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Indian Ocean, the <\/span><b>third-largest ocean in the world<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, connects 26 coastal nations through trade, heritage, and shared history.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Access for Landlocked Nations: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Economic importance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the <\/span><b>Persian Gulf to the Strait of Malacca,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the Indian Ocean is the main trading artery for many countries in the world. The Indian Ocean is a <\/span><b>critical global trade route<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as it &#8211;<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handles<\/span><b> 70% of the world\u2019s<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> container traffic.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facilitat<\/span><b>es 80% of India\u2019s external trade<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><b> 90% of its energy trade.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Global Presence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Indian Ocean today is a strategic space with <\/span><b>increasing military and commercial activities. The US and UK<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with their Diego Garcia base, and<\/span><b> France<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Reunion Island, are already active in the region.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, China is investing heavily in the region to spread its influence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Measures Taken by India to Enhance its Maritime Influence<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>SAGAR Policy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Under <\/span><b>Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, India has pursued a proactive maritime strategy. The <\/span><b>SAGAR Initiative (Security And Growth for All in the Region)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, launched in 2015, aims to enhance regional stability and cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Blue Water Policy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India seeks to establish itself as both an <\/span><b>influential blue-water power<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a leading voice for the <\/span><b>Global South<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Emerging Challenges in the Indian Ocean<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Contested Space: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Indian Ocean is now a heavily contested space with surface and underwater activity from major naval forces.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Influence of China<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Undersea communication networks, traditionally managed by European firms, now include Chinese-built <\/span><b>Huawei submarine cables<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Threats:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Key threats in the region include:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Piracy and sea-borne terrorism<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Illegal fishing and arms trafficking<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Climate change and rising sea levels<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Humanitarian crises, including disaster relief and evacuations<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Regional Maritime Leadership<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Theory of Maritime Power: Alfred Mahan\u2019s<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> theory states that <\/span><b>maritime supremacy in the Indian Ocean leads to global influence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strategic Forum: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Indian Ocean Conference <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0provides a platform for regional leaders to ensure that the <\/span><b>Indian Ocean remains under their collective management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthening <\/span><b>maritime cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is critical for <\/span><b>India\u2019s rise as a dominant power<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the <\/span><b>Indo-Pacific<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A strong <\/span><b>naval presence, strategic partnerships, and economic influence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will enable India to shape regional dynamics.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.7979%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Mains Practice Question:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/analyze-indias-role-in-ensuring-regional-stability-and-securing-its-national-interests\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q. \u201cThe Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is emerging as the new centre of global geopolitics due to its strategic significance and economic potential.&#8221; In this context, analyze India&#8217;s role in ensuring regional stability and securing its national interests amidst rising global power competition. 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