The IOR is a vital region for India: it is both an opportunity and a challenge at the same time. The sovereignty transfer of the Chagos Archipelago from the UK to Mauritius is the most recent key development in the geopolitical dynamics of the region. This shift unlocks new avenues for India to enhance cooperation with Mauritius in maritime surveillance and resource management. However, the long-term US and UK military presence on Diego Garcia as well as China’s growing influence call for strategic balancing. India needs to be judicious with these relationships in its pursuit of interests and maintaining the relative stability of the Indian Ocean.
| GS Paper | GS Paper I |
| Topics for UPSC Prelims | Indian Ocean Region, Chagos Archipelago, INS Vikrant, Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, String of Pearls, India’s “Act East” and “Neighbourhood First”, Indian Ocean Rim Association., Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Cyclone Idai, BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi, Cyclone Remal, Sagarmala programme |
| Topics for UPSC Mains | Significance of the Indian Ocean Region for India, Major Challenges that India Encounter in the Indian Ocean |
This editorial is based on “The Chagos Treaty and Indian Ocean Security,” published in The Hindu on October 8, 2024. The article discusses the geopolitical implications of the Chagos Archipelago’s sovereignty transfer and its impact on Indian Ocean security.
To familiarize oneself with the basic nature of dynamics in the Indian Ocean, especially for subjects like International Relations and Maritime Security, these become the areas aspirants need to look out for. It is merely familiarity with the subjects that enhances essay writing to understand global geopolitical maneuvers and answer questions about India’s foreign policy and cooperation in the region. This has a direct correlation with the syllabus and can highly benefit aspirants in an examination.
This transfer of sovereignty in the Chagos Archipelago over to Mauritius is very relevant for the UPSC aspirants, specifically on the international relations and strategic interests of India. Such a transfer holds great significance because of opportunities as well as challenges before India regarding balancing the regional balance of powers with the US and UK holding high commands on military power and China’s rising foothold in that region. Such are some issues related to being part of relevant UPSC questions about geopolitics strategy as well as maritime security.
This ocean is significant to India’s pluralistic interests: as a supplier of security through its maritime doctrine and initiatives such as INS Vikrant and Information Fusion Centre, enabling large portions of the trade and energy supply chains, and enabling geopolitics for countering Chinese influence and regional partnerships. Further, it supports environmental management and scientific exploration and acts as a passage for carrying cultural and diaspora connections.
It reflects in India’s commitment as a “net security provider” for the Indian Ocean Region. Launching INS Vikrant and conducting numerous multilateral exercises have further solidified the capabilities of India’s navy. Concomitantly, with these naval procurements, the Information Fusion Centre Indian Ocean Region further reinforces maritime security by improving coordination and information sharing amongst regional actors.
The Indian Ocean is a lifeline for India’s economy. External trade passes through it with about 80%, and energy trade, with around 90%. Marine routes play an extremely crucial role in containing global container traffic. In this sense, the IMEC, which is implied as the connecting route for India with Europe and the Middle East, supports India’s economic growth as well as its regional trade ambitions. Blue Economy initiatives focus on using ocean resources sustainably.
India’s energy security is largely contingent on the Indian Ocean since nearly 80% of its crude oil imports transit by its sea lanes. The protection of these lifeline routes is crucial in meeting India’s escalating energy requirements. The effective strategic oil reserve is minimal, and it leaves little room for comfort in terms of supply disruptions. Such a scenario calls for an open and secure sea lane of communication in the region.
The Indian Ocean provides favorable geopolitical gains to India at the cost of China by negating the “String of Pearls” strategy offered by China. With more ships across the high seas and a stronger partnership in Seychelles and Maldives with initiatives like “Act East,” India has expanded its strategic outreach. IORA and military logistic agreements have enhanced Indian regional influence and cooperation.
Indian Ocean endeavors are crucial in light of the vulnerability of its long coastline, environment, and natural disasters. Centres such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services as well as Coalitions for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure help play those roles. Disbursals of aid by India following Cyclone Idai can strengthen the soft power that undergirds regional leadership in disaster management.
Scientific exploration and research in the Indian Ocean, therefore, are essential components of India’s progress towards technological advancement. The Deep Ocean Mission, which encompasses the just launched Matsya 6000 submersible, is but one great example of India’s commitment to take scientific research into the heart of the seas. Further, India’s exploration of the polymetallic nodule in the Central Indian Ocean Basin makes the country further apace on the world stage for harnessing resources in deep seas.
The Indian Ocean has always served as a source of connectivity for the culture and diaspora of India in the strengthening of its maritime heritage. Diasporas in rim countries have greatly contributed to bilateral relations and remittances. Such programs as the Mausam Project, and, more importantly, cultural diplomacy efforts, reflect the degree of Indian culture and influence which remains constantly considerable, like the BAPS Hindu Temple standing in Abu Dhabi.
India is faced with a bundle of challenges in the Indian Ocean because of geopolitical tensions, security threats, environmental concerns, and infrastructural issues. Threats to the control of the Chinese imperium, maritime threats, and climate change are all factors that impact India’s strategic interests. In addition to resource competition and infrastructure gaps, these are also hurdles for India to achieve its regional ambitions, hence a multi-faceted strategy has to be the way forward.
These strategic steps from China in the Indian Ocean, of which the “String of Pearls” and Djibouti military base are examples, do pose a clear threat to India. Such steps will eventually ring India around, creating roadblocks to its regional strategies. The increase in naval presence and strategic alliances are the responses by India. However, with such a rising influence, the concern for China increasingly relates to compromising India’s strategic autonomy in the region.
India faces diverse maritime security threats along the littoral of the Indian Ocean ranging from piracy and terrorism to cyberattacks. The kind of attack on MV Chem Pluto signifies the change in these threats. These persistent challenges could only be prevented if maritime domain awareness is enhanced through initiatives like the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
Other geopolitical tensions with immediate neighbors, including an ongoing row with the Maldives and a contentious fishermen issue with Sri Lanka, add more layers of complexity to the stated goals of regional leadership by India. There is considerable strain in the bilateral relationships of the immediate neighbors of India, affecting the stability in the region. Diplomatic efforts and cooperation will be required to achieve this peaceful and cooperative Indian Ocean neighborhood.
Resource competition in the Indian Ocean has become a problem for India. It finds competition to this deep-sea mining mission that India is working on through its Deep Ocean Mission from China and several other countries, which makes it complicated to that which will enthrall India to balance her economic interests with environmental sustainability. Equivalence in access to resources without upsetting ecological balance forms the key determinant for India’s long-term strategic interests.
The Indian Ocean-side challenges that climate change poses to India relate to rising sea levels and more cyclones that threaten coastal security and economies. Environmental degradation manifests itself in terms of marine pollution that affects biodiversity and fisheries. The efforts made by India in responding to these challenges, like the National Coastal Mission, need better coordination and funding to protect the maritime interests of the country.
The investment in India’s maritime infrastructure is not keeping pace despite the investments. Slow initiatives like Sagarmala programs are a contributor to that problem. Connectivity particularly around island territories-constrain the country’s capability to project power and respond to crises. Indeed, filling such gaps-for example, through strategic projects like the Great Nicobar transshipment hub-will enhance regional capabilities for India.
Therefore, non-traditional security threats in the Indian Ocean pose a complex challenge for India’s efforts because of existing cyber-security risks, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, etc. Most of these demand a higher level of monitoring, enforcement, and cooperation with regional partners to safeguard maritime interests, ensure regional stability, and also respond to changing security dynamics.
It has the potential to create tension of balancing strategic partnerships across the Indian Ocean without sacrificing autonomy. Involvement in initiatives like Quad and BRICS would demand careful navigation to maintain relationships and strategic interests. Balance in such partnership is how India could play a critical role in the region and the manner it addresses challenges shaped by major powers in the region.
The agreement on the Chagos Archipelago presented geopolitical problems for India, for once, from sovereignty transfer to Mauritius. Thus, instead of an exit from bilateral issues, new routes for influence appear to be open. However, continuing military presence by the US and UK makes the situation more complicated, and India must pass through complexities without compromising its interests and promoting stability in the Indian Ocean region.
India should take strategic efforts regarding infrastructure, partnerships, capabilities, and economic initiatives to strengthen its presence in the Indian Ocean. The key aim is to be progressive in terms of maritime infrastructure, naval capabilities, strategic partnerships, investment in the Blue Economy, and disaster response capability to effectively trigger an “India at play,” which contributes to regional stability and security.
Priority to maritime infrastructure development should be given with speedier implementation of the Sagarmala program and projects like the Sittwe Port and the Great Nicobar transshipment hub. These initiatives will enhance connectivity as well as economic activity very crucial for India’s strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean. Environmental concerns, funding, and so on need to be addressed while implementing these programs.
Priority to maritime infrastructure development should be given with speedier implementation of the Sagarmala program and projects like the Sittwe Port and the Great Nicobar transshipment hub. These initiatives will enhance connectivity as well as economic activity very crucial for India’s strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean. Environmental concerns, funding, and so on need to be addressed while implementing these programs.
Indian Ocean nations and the extra-regional powers should be strategically boosted. For instance, the India-France-UAE trilateral partnership and the agreements with Sri Lanka are proof of the power of cooperation. These partnerships need to be supplemented by joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and economic cooperation to ensure regional stability and mutual growth.
Enhancing India’s maritime domain awareness is critical to strategic interests. The expansion of the coastal radar network, addition of satellite and AI-based systems, and upgrade of the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region will be pivotal in improving situational awareness. All these projects resulted in giving a boost to Indian maritime security.
Regions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an important part of India’s regional ambitions related to strategic island territories. Improving military infrastructure, connectivity, and sustainable development help in the overall strategic interests of the regions. This would keep environmental conservation at equilibrium with strategic initiatives, which will bring long-term benefits for India’s maritime capabilities as well as regional presence.
Expansion of Maritime Partnerships – Greater naval exercises and capacity building should increase regional influence on the part of India. Activities such as the SAGAR Doctrine and Malabar Exercise build maritime cooperation by India. Training and technical assistance to small island nations boost regional capabilities and create security as well as growth in the Indian Ocean.
Important to India’s sustainable growth, therefore, is investment in Blue Economy initiatives, many of which focus on the exploitation of marine resources, tourism along the coast, and biotechnology drivers of innovation and economic development. Encouraging the private sector to participate in deep-sea mining, renewable energy, and other such ventures will push for economic development while supporting India’s strategic interests in the Indian Ocean.
India needs to increasingly boost its disaster response capability to be able to project regional leadership in the Indian Ocean. Building up of NDRF and establishment of forward operating bases is a reinforcement of disaster response capacities. Projects like SAGAR humanitarian aid reflect India’s commitment to regional outreach and cooperation regarding effective natural disaster management.
| Political: India’s political strategy in the Indian Ocean aims to strengthen ties with neighboring countries and counterbalance China’s growing influence. The recent sovereignty transfer of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius presents both challenges and opportunities, with implications for India’s diplomatic engagements and defense strategy in the region. Economic: The Indian Ocean is a vital economic lifeline for India, handling a significant portion of global container traffic and most of India’s crude oil imports. Economic initiatives, such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, highlight the region’s importance for trade and energy security. India’s focus on developing maritime infrastructure under projects like Sagarmala also underscores its intent to enhance the economic utilization of the region. Social: The Indian Ocean facilitates extensive cultural exchanges and maintains historical maritime links that form a part of India’s rich heritage. Ongoing initiatives aim to bolster India’s socio-cultural influence and sustain the ocean’s role in climate stability and disaster response, reflecting India’s commitment to regional humanitarian needs and environmental conservation. Technological: India’s efforts to enhance maritime domain awareness involve deploying advanced technologies for surveillance and monitoring. Investment in scientific research and resource exploration in the Indian Ocean supports India’s technological advancement and strategic interests. Environmental: The Indian Ocean plays a critical role in India’s environmental and disaster management strategies. Initiatives like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure aim to mitigate the impact of climate change, addressing challenges posed by rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions that affect regional biodiversity and coastal security. Legal: India navigates complex international laws and maritime boundaries, balancing economic, environmental, and security interests in the Indian Ocean. Legal frameworks guide India’s actions regarding resource extraction, environmental conservation, and maritime security operations. |
It is essential to project India’s maritime interests and presence in the Indian Ocean Region as part of India’s security and geopolitical influence. Developing its naval capability, maintaining strategic partnerships, and being able to leverage the Blue Economy concept could catapult India through and beyond many intricacies found within this crucial zone. Such a multi-dimensional strategy on the additional fronts of securing India’s security will help toss India up as a stabilizing influence in the region.
| UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) Mains Q. Examine the geopolitical significance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its impact on India’s foreign policy and economic interests.(UPSC Mains 2022, GS Paper I) Q. Discuss the strategic importance of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean Region and analyze how the recent sovereignty agreement between Mauritius and the United Kingdom might influence India’s maritime security and geopolitical interests. |
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