SAGAR: India’s Policy Action in the Indian Ocean Region

Much has been said about India’s underutilisation of its geographical advantage in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The policy action of India is not enough; India is behind in its approach. Rather than add to the binary of ‘sufficient vs the insufficient’ policy action, this article looks at this foreign policy milestone: Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), critically.

The IOR is currently marked by geopolitical and geoeconomical flux. It is a region where anyone can observe the contours of geoeconomics, power competition, security insecurities and cooperation all in action. Indubitably making this region volatile and significant at the same time. The region, just like any other maritime space, is known for both its traditional and non-traditional threats. With the increased Chinese posture in the region, the countries in the region are getting apprehensive about their sovereignty erosion. Beijing is undoubtedly acting in its national interest and benefiting to the full extent by knowing the full potential of the region. Taking notes, India is securing its maritime space with an intention not just to tackle or play safe in the region but with a vision to grow together, stabilise, economically and militarily, and create space for cooperation¹.

India’s geographical stakes are high and clear: with 7,500 km of coastline, hundreds of islands from Lakshadweep to Andaman & Nicobar, a 2.4 million sq. km Exclusive Economic Zone, and 90% of trade volume passing through sea routes^2–4. The Indian Ocean is not just a backyard, it’s a lifeline. India designed this policy with a strategic resolve in 2015 with a vision to be inclusive, build trust, defend maritime norms, and protect the rule-based order. The policy promises to commit to sustainable ocean governance, regional trade and energy security, and positioning itself as the preferred security provider and first responder.

 The following section is a mapping of the SAGAR policy with parameters widely used in planning and managing development projects. It is best to present information about the key components of a project in a clear, concise, logical and systematic way. The parameters include Goal, Purpose, Outputs and Activities⁵.

Mapping SAGAR Policy: From Policy to On-Ground Realities

Parameters	SAGAR Policy	Onground Realities/Initiatives
Goal	Ensure peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the IOR through cooperative maritime security and sustainable development	Strategic positioning through multilateral cooperation, capacity building of IOR countries, and proactive humanitarian assistance.
Purpose	Promote India as a net security provider and development partner in the IOR, ensuring maritime connectivity and disaster resilience.	India’s rapid response during the HADR missions (for instance, post-cyclone aid to Madagascar and Mozambique) SAGAR missions deploying INS ships for medical and material aid during COVID-196. Naval coordination with IOR partners.
Outputs	Strengthened maritime logistics and infrastructure connectivity Enhanced bilateral/multilateral naval cooperation Capacity building in partner nations Strategic maritime outreach	Kaladan Multi-Modal Transport Project: Connects India’s Northeast to Sittwe port in Myanmar7,8. Trilateral Highway: India, Myanmar and Thailand highway to boost regional mobility9. Chabahar Port (Iran): India’s gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan10. Maritime infrastructure in the Maldives – Coast Guard harbour, Greater Malé connectivity Sri Lanka – Colombo and Kankesanthurai ports Mauritius – Agalega Island airstrip Seychelles – Coastal surveillance radar project.11,12 Dugum to Sabang Strategy: Maritime focus from Duqm (Oman) to Sabang Port (Indonesia).
Activites	Port development Infrastructure building in terms of roads, logistics hubs Bilateral naval exercises Maritime training programs Line of credit agreements Humanitarian assistance Radar surveillance installations	India funded the Sittwe Port and inland waterway terminals under the Kaladan project. Chabahar Port was operationalised with Indian investment and operations by  India Ports Global Limited. Regular and consistent MILAN naval exercises, IBSAMAR, DOSTI trilateral naval exercises13–15.  Installation of Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems (CSRS) in Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka. Extension of Lines of Credit to Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Seychelles for coastal and inland infrastructure16. Humanitarian assistance missions (COVID aid, cyclone relief).

Table 1: SAGAR Policy on-ground realities

Conclusion

India has untapped potential and a broad range of themes to further explore in the IOR. Given the evolving tensions with its neighbours and the intensifying regional competition, it is a necessity for India to regularly evaluate and recalibrate its foreign policy approaches. The successful implementation of any foreign policy on the ground is influenced by a multitude of factors, some acting as enablers while others as constraints. While this tabulation does not capture the full complexity of the SAGAR policy, it represents a modest attempt to map its progress and assess its on-ground impact. It underscores, in a simplified manner, India’s growing role as a key actor in the geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics of the Indian Ocean Region. With sustained strategic vision and adaptive policymaking, India is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to regional stability and prosperity.

*Views expressed are personal

References

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