The world order of the 21st century demands dynamic foreign policy from nation-states. Dwindling between survival, alliance, and belligerence, nation-states are crafting foreign policy accordingly. In this line, India is asserting its position in global politics. It is evident with changes in foreign policy and through terms like de-hyphenation, strategic autonomy, etc. One such significant change is focusing on waters below the Indian Ocean. The Indian foreign policy of the 21st century witnessed the emergence of India as an important player in the Indian Ocean region. It is evident with the increasing involvement of India with the Island States of Africa like Seychelles, Mauritius, etc., signing joint strategic vision with France, revitalizing the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), constituting the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), etc. With a vast coastline of 7,500 km, 1,200 islands, and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 2,000,000 km², India’s maritime interface is a crucial component of its strategic interests. The ancient Indian epic, Mahabharata, refers to the subcontinent as Jambudwipathe ‘Island of the Jamun (Indian blackberry) tree.’ The maritime dimension of India’s regional and global diplomacy has gained greater importance with globalization, especially since the end of the Cold War in 1991.
Emergence of Indian Naval Doctrines
The growing importance of waters in Indian Foreign policy in the 21st century is also associated with the arrival of Indian Naval Doctrines. Ensuring Securing Seas (2015) is arguably the official document that deals with the security of the maritime realm. It enunciates India’s areas of maritime interest and categorizes them as primary and secondary areas. The primary areas of maritime interest stretch from India’s coast to the east coast of Africa including the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman Sea. It also includes secondary areas of maritime interest that are further west and east of the primary areas and encompasses the South and East China Seas, the southern Indian Ocean Region, and the Antarctic Ocean. Another major occurrence is India taking up the role of ‘Net Security Provider’ in the Indian Ocean region. It strengthens India’s position of freedom and inclusivity in high seas and sea lanes of communication. The above doctrine defines the concept of a net security provider comprehensively in terms of ensuring security, balancing threats, and countering all risks, threats, and challenges in the Indian Ocean region. As the first security responder, India helps small Island States like Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, and Comoros to counter challenges like disasters, health hazards, and piracy in the region. Operation Vaccine Maitriand SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)are such initiatives. Recently, India and Mauritius inaugurated an airstrip and a jetty in Agalega, an island of Mauritius. India and Seychelles are also focusing on harnessing the potential of the blue economy. Joint Maritime patrolling with these Island States to counter non-traditional threats in the region has become a regular affair. India has provided aid assistance on several occasions of natural disasters, during Operation Vanilla in 2020, US$ 2 million to the Madagascar Natural Disaster Management Agency.
Tackling Non-Traditional and Traditional Threats in the Indian Ocean
As the focus of the global world order shifts to the Indo-Pacific, the Indian Ocean is becoming a key to the lock global power politics and resultantly, India is becoming one central player in the region. The region is facing challenges of varying nature. In terms of non-traditional threats, most of these Island States are ranking high in the ENACT Organized Crime Index for Africa. The issue of piracy is evident in Bab-el Mandeb (connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden in the Indian Ocean). The Indian Ocean also hosts the Southern Route, famous for heroin and opium trafficking. Increasing disaster frequency and rising sea levels have become the norm in the region. Traditional threats are also present in the region. Chinese Malacca Strait dilemma is well documented, and the dragon is trying to resolve it through the Indian Ocean. Thebelligerence of China is spreading in the Indian Ocean. It has constituted the China- Indian Ocean Region Forum, which does not involve India. Pakistan is also trying to increase the role of China in IORA, which has led to deadlock in the regional organization reducing its effectiveness. Further, China is also trying to present itself as an alternative to the Island States to counter non-traditional threats. In 2024, it docked its spy ship Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota (Sri Lanka) denying India’s concerns. India’s lack of focus on Navy personnel strength and capital and revenue expenditure also aggravates the situation.
India’s Strategic Alliances and Partnership
The demands of the 21st century in foreign policy seek determination to counter challenges as per the need of the hour rather than unconditional alliance. This shift is evident in Indian Foreign Policy, where to counter the above-mentioned challenges, India is strategically allying with partner nation-states. One such important step forward in this process was the institutionalization of the Bilateral Maritime Dialogue between India and France in 2015. A White Shipping Agreement between the two countries was signed on the occasion. In March 2018, the two countries agreed on a Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, highlighting that the two democracies have shared similar concerns in the region. India has expressed willingness to partner with other like-minded countries in the format of trilateral dialogues like India- France- Australia, India- France- UAE, India- Japan – Australia, etc. Apart from these cooperations, India also needs to shed its continental mindset as at the start of 2000, the then Chief of Naval Staff, Sushil Kumar, stated that:“In my view, the continentalist era is over and the next millennium will witness the dawning of a new maritime period. I believe that during the next century, India will realize her potential as a full-fledged maritime nation and that India’s maritime dimension will decisively shape our country’s destiny in the years ahead.” The idea is not to create a binary between land and water but to present them as complementary to ensure a wholesome approach to security and prosperity. India’s maritime diplomacy extends beyond regional cooperation, as it also engages in bilateral and multilateral initiatives with various littoral and island countries. These initiatives include naval patrols in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), coordinated patrols with friendly navies, and providing technical support to partner countries in areas such as oceanography and weather forecasting. India also conducts joint naval exercises with various countries, enhancing interoperability and building security ties. The MILAN a naval exercise and the Chief of Naval Staff’s Goa Conclave serve as important platforms for strengthening maritime cooperation.
Conclusion
The 21st century marks a decisive shift in India’s strategic outlook, where maritime security and engagement have become integral to its foreign policy. As global power dynamics evolve, India’s role in the Indian Ocean region is expanding, demanding a balanced approach that integrates both continental and maritime strategies. The era of exclusive land-centric security thinking is giving way to a more comprehensive visionone where the seas are not just conduits of trade but vital arenas of geopolitical influence.India must harness its maritime potential to shape its destiny in the coming decades, ensuring security, stability, and prosperity. Rather than creating a binary between land and water, the focus should be on their complementarity, reinforcing a holistic and resilient national security framework. India’s evolving maritime strategy in the Indian Ocean focuses on securing its maritime interests by enhancing naval capabilities, building strategic partnerships, and actively participating in maritime diplomacy. This approach aims to ensure stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region while tackling emerging challenges such as climate change and non-traditional threats like piracy and illegal fishing.
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