Ramesh Reddy asked: What does it exactly mean when it is said ‘India is a net security provider in the Indian Ocean,’ and what are the factors responsible for the same?

Sarabjeet Singh Parmar replies: The broad meaning that one can discern from various statements made about India being a ‘net security provider’ in the Indian Ocean is about India ensuring a stable, secure and peaceful environment in the region. The main aspects that are viewed as responsible for this can be construed as follows:

• India’s predominant central geographic position in the region, especially overlooking the SLOCs that pass through the region.
• India’s military capacity and capability that has a distinct reach in the region due to its geographic position.
• India’s friendly relations and defence cooperation with most of the IOR nations.
• India’s relatively strong economy and market capacity.
• India’s non-hegemonic stance and its will and ability to provide assistance when requested.

Posted on April 07, 2014