Indian Ocean Region

Over the last few years India has been progressively attempting to establish itself as a ‘preferred security partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This transformation represents a fundamental shift from India’s historically passive maritime posture described by strategic thinkers as a manifestation of its ‘sea blindness’ to a robust maritime-oriented outlook characterised by proactive regional leadership, enhanced naval capabilities, multilateral security arrangements and comprehensive engagement with littoral states. This essay examines the evolution, mechanisms and implications of India’s emergence as a preferred security partner in the IOR.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Western Indian Ocean poses a critical challenge to human security and governance.

The recent incidents of cable cuts in the Red Sea highlight the need to develop operational strategies in the Indian Ocean Region to secure Critical Undersea Infrastructure.

Information-Sharing Platforms help achieve interoperability with friendly nations and can build effective maritime domain awareness in the Western Indian Ocean.

The strategic partnership between India and the United States has increasingly focussed on joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts in the Indian Ocean Region. Cemented by India’s 2016 designation as a ‘Major Defence Partner’, this collaboration now includes joint military exercises, port visits and disaster relief missions. Given the Indo- Pacific region’s importance due to its population and key shipping routes, improved military interoperability and logistical coordination are crucial for tackling climate-related disasters. India’s strong HADR capabilities and capacity-building, along with the strategic support of the United States, have enhanced their bilateral and multilateral cooperation, vital for addressing regional challenges and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The Red Sea crisis as a result of the attacks on shipping traffic by the Houthis in solidarity with the Hamas fighting Israel has had significant negative, economic ramifications for regional countries.

Enhanced naval capabilities, strategic partnerships, and comprehensive underwater domain awareness (UDA) will be key to coping with the challenges of Chinese subsurface presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Indian Navy can be expected to continue to use its significant deterrent and punitive capabilities to protect the sea lanes of communications in the Western Indian Ocean.

The India-Russia partnership is longstanding and time-tested, one of steadiest of the major relationships in the world. Although the relations between the two countries have remained exceptionally warm and cordial, their full potential has not been realised.

Increased collaboration among countries of the Indian Ocean Region on atmospheric and ocean studies is essential to tackle the challenge of climate change-induced vulnerabilities.