India’s Evolving Maritime Strategy in the Indo-Pacific Region

14 Nov 2024

India, as a maritime nation, has historically viewed the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the broader Indo-Pacific as crucial for its national security and economic interests. The strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific has escalated in recent years, particularly due to the rise of non-traditional security threats, regional power dynamics, and the increasing assertiveness of China in maritime affairs.

This blog aims to explore the evolution of India's maritime strategy in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting key developments, strategic frameworks, and the implications for regional and global stability.

Historical Context

India's maritime security strategy is rooted in its historical legacy and geopolitical aspirations. As early as 1946, historian K.M. Panikkar emphasized the importance of India taking responsibility for peace and security in the Indian Ocean. His assertion that India's freedom would mean little without naval strength continues to resonate today.

The Cold War period marked a significant phase in India’s maritime strategy, as the country found itself aligning more closely with the Soviet Union in the face of superpower rivalry. This alignment limited India's regional vision and created a perception of India as a potential regional hegemon, which it sought to counter by fostering stability and trust among its neighbors.

With the end of the Cold War, India began to shed its historical constraints, shifting its strategic outlook to embrace a more proactive maritime policy. K. Subrahmanyam's argument that “diplomacy and military power are mutually reinforcing” shaped this evolution, leading to enhanced relationships with IOR nations and positioning India as a responsible regional power.

As India's influence grew, so did its commitment to ensuring stability, security, and peace in the maritime domain through a blend of soft and hard power.

Framework of India’s Maritime Strategy

India's maritime strategy has developed through a systematic approach that integrates various elements of national power, including diplomacy, economic engagement, and military capability. The foundation of this strategy is framed around three key pillars: strategic deterrence, maritime security, and regional collaboration.

Strategic Deterrence:

The Indian Navy's role in establishing strategic deterrence is fundamental to India's maritime strategy. India aims to project its naval power to deter potential adversaries, particularly in the context of rising Chinese influence in the region. The development of advanced naval assets, including indigenous aircraft carriers and submarines, signifies India's commitment to becoming a dominant maritime power.

In March 2024, the Indian Navy successfully intervened in a piracy incident in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), rescuing 23 Pakistani nationals from a hijacked fishing vessel. This incident reflects India's capability to act as a first responder in regional crises.
The Indian Navy has responded to various piracy incidents, including missions in collaboration with Seychelles and Sri Lanka to rescue hijacked vessels. The coordinated rescue efforts demonstrate India's commitment to maritime security in the region.
The launch of INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, in 2022 marked a significant milestone in this endeavor. The Defence Acquisition Council’s approval for six diesel-electric submarines, along with ongoing projects for advanced submarines, underscores India's focus on enhancing its underwater capabilities. Furthermore, the emphasis on indigenisation within the defense sector reflects a strategic imperative to ensure self-reliance while addressing the evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Maritime Security:

India's maritime security strategy encompasses various dimensions, including freedom of navigation, counter-piracy operations, and addressing non-traditional threats such as terrorism and smuggling. The recognition that territorial instability directly impacts maritime security has driven India to enhance its maritime domain awareness and response capabilities.

India's involvement in multilateral exercises and partnerships, such as the Malabar naval exercises with the US, Japan, and Australia, illustrates its commitment to collective maritime security. These engagements not only foster interoperability among naval forces but also send a clear signal of India's intent to uphold a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
In recent years, the Indian Navy has successfully conducted operations to counter piracy off the Somali coast and address other maritime threats. For instance, in March 2024, the INS Talwar apprehended a suspicious dhow as part of Operation Crimson Barracuda, showcasing India's proactive approach to combating drug trafficking and maritime crime. Such operations reinforce India's role as a net security provider in the region.

Regional Collaboration:

India's maritime strategy is underpinned by the principle of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), which emphasizes inclusivity and cooperation among IOR nations. The establishment of various frameworks and regional organizations, such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), underscores India's commitment to regional engagement.

India’s participation in multilateral forums like the Quad, ASEAN Regional Forum, and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) allows it to shape the regional security architecture and promote a rules-based maritime order. This partnership reflects India's shift towards a more assertive maritime posture in response to China's growing influence and assertiveness in the region.
Strategic partnerships with the US, France, Japan, Australia, and major ASEAN members enhance India’s security capabilities and foster technology transfer.

Non-Traditional Security Threats

The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly characterized by non-traditional security threats that pose significant challenges to maritime stability. Piracy, maritime terrorism, and smuggling activities have surged, necessitating a comprehensive response from regional nations. India's strategic outlook has been shaped by the resurgence of piracy and maritime terrorism, particularly in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy has successfully conducted counter-piracy operations, showcasing its capability to safeguard maritime trade routes and protect vital shipping lanes.

Under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), India has sought to address non-traditional security threats collaboratively, emphasizing disaster response and humanitarian assistance. The concept of a "free, open, and inclusive" Indo-Pacific, articulated by Prime Minister during India's presidency of the UN Security Council, reinforces India's vision of a cooperative security environment. For instance, the Indian Navy's proactive engagement in the Gulf of Aden, which began in 2008, has significantly reduced piracy incidents. This sustained effort not only protects Indian commercial interests but also contributes to global maritime security.

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)

In addition to addressing security threats, India has positioned itself as a leader in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) within the Indo-Pacific. The Indian Navy has played a pivotal role in responding to natural disasters, such as cyclones and tsunamis, by providing immediate assistance and support to affected nations. The Indian Navy's response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami marked a pivotal moment, where India provided substantial relief to affected nations, showcasing its capabilities in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). India’s previous missions, such as relief operations during Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and providing vital water supplies to the Maldives in 2014, highlight its ongoing commitment to regional stability and security.

Strategic Challenges

Despite significant progress in India's maritime strategy, several challenges persist that require sustained attention and strategic recalibration.

China's Growing Influence

China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific poses a formidable challenge to India's maritime ambitions. The expansion of China's naval presence, particularly through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), raises concerns about regional security and influence. China's growing network of ports and infrastructure projects across the Indian Ocean, including in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Djibouti, highlights its strategic intent to secure vital maritime trade routes. India must navigate this complex geopolitical landscape by reinforcing its maritime capabilities and fostering stronger ties with regional partners. Enhanced collaboration with Quad nations and other democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific can serve as a counterbalance to China's influence while promoting a rules-based order.

Budgetary Constraints

India's naval modernization efforts have faced budgetary constraints, with the share of the Navy in the overall defense budget declining over the years. Despite an increase in the modernization budget, the overall allocation remains insufficient to meet the ambitious goals set for the Indian Navy. The defense budget for 2024-25 is the highest among all government departments, making up 12.9% of the union budget focus on modernization. To ensure a robust naval presence in the Indo-Pacific, it is crucial for the Indian government to enhance budgetary support for the Navy while fostering indigenization efforts within the defense sector.

Technological Advancements

The rapid pace of technological advancements presents both opportunities and challenges for India’s maritime strategy. The integration of advanced technologies, such as unmanned systems and artificial intelligence, is essential for enhancing maritime domain awareness and response capabilities. India's recent acquisition of MQ-9B drones from the United States demonstrates its commitment to leveraging technology for surveillance and intelligence-gathering in the Indo-Pacific. However, to maintain a competitive edge, India must prioritize research and development in naval technology and foster collaborations with advanced maritime nations.

Enhancing Self-Reliance and Expanding Naval Capabilities

India’s ambition to be a credible maritime power hinges on expanding naval capabilities and achieving self-reliance in defense technology. The Indian Navy aims to build a “Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future-Ready” force by developing cross-domain capabilities in space, air, surface, subsurface, and cyber. By 2047, the Navy aspires to be fully self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar) in critical defense technologies, reducing dependence on foreign sources and strengthening India's defense industry.

Achieving this vision involves fostering joint research and development partnerships, which improve interoperability with allied nations and ensure strategic autonomy. This focus on indigenous technology underpins India’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and contributes to a robust regional security framework.

Conclusion

India’s maritime strategy in the Indo-Pacific is a reflection of its aspirations to emerge as a regional power committed to upholding security and stability. Rooted in the principles of strategic deterrence, maritime security, and regional cooperation, India aims to tackle both traditional and non-traditional security challenges across the region. Although China’s expanding influence, budget constraints, and rapid technological changes present obstacles, India's commitment to self-reliance, multilateral engagement, and a rules-based order positions it uniquely to address these challenges.

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