Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is central to India's maritime strategy due to its geo-economic importance, security dynamics, and strategic location. Initiatives like Maritime India Vision 2030 and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine reflect India’s intent to strengthen its maritime footprint.

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Strategic Implications of India’s Expanding Maritime Engagement:

• Securing Trade Routes and Economic Interests: The Indian Ocean handles over 95% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value.
  • India’s reliance on foreign ships for trade exposes it to vulnerabilities, as seen in the Red Sea crisis where global shipping disruptions underscored the risks.
  • Maritime infrastructure development, including port modernization (e.g., Sagarmala Programme), enhances India’s control over trade routes.
• Enhancing Maritime Security and Surveillance: India’s expanding naval capabilities and partnerships improve monitoring of sea lanes, ensuring freedom of navigation and addressing challenges like piracy, terrorism, and illegal fishing.
  • Initiatives such as Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) provide real-time maritime domain awareness.
• Boosting Blue Economy and Sustainable Development: India is leveraging its maritime infrastructure for economic diversification, including coastal shipping, fisheries, and marine tourism.
  • Programs like the Harit Sagar Initiative align maritime growth with environmental sustainability, supporting India’s COP28 commitments.
• Employment Generation and Domestic Shipbuilding: India aims to reduce dependence on foreign ships, saving forex and boosting local shipbuilding under Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
  • The Sagarmala Programme and initiatives like Cochin Shipyard’s autonomous vessels create employment opportunities and bolster the maritime workforce.

Alignment with India’s Regional Security Objectives:

• Ensuring Maritime Sovereignty: India seeks to protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and safeguard resources from illegal exploitation.
  • Expanding naval assets, including aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant, strengthens India’s maritime deterrence.
• Countering China’s Maritime Influence China’s String of Pearls strategy and its dominant position in global shipbuilding (46.6% market share) challenge India’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
  • India’s investments in Sabang Port (Indonesia), Sittwe Port (Myanmar), and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) act as counterweights to China’s Maritime Silk Road.
  • Strengthening naval presence and developing critical infrastructure boosts India’s influence across chokepoints like the Strait of Malacca and the Strait of Hormuz.
• Strengthening Indo-Pacific Partnerships: India’s maritime engagements align with its Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy, enhancing partnerships with countries like Japan, the USA, and ASEAN nations.
  • The Quad Initiative (India, US, Japan, Australia) focuses on promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, countering hegemonic threats.
  • India’s infrastructure investments in ports and shipping hubs promote regional connectivity, strengthening its leadership role.

Concerns Related to India’s Maritime Engagement:

• Financing and Infrastructure Gaps: The absence of competitive financing and ship classification as infrastructure limits domestic shipbuilding growth.
  • High logistics costs and inefficient port operations hinder maritime competitiveness.
• Chinese Dominance: China’s aggressive maritime expansion and economic dominance in the IOR create strategic competition for India.
• Connectivity Bottlenecks: Poor hinterland connectivity and inadequate multimodal infrastructure impede port efficiency.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Conflicts in regions like the West Asia and Middle East add complexities to India’s maritime engagements.

Way Forward for India’s Maritime Engagement:

• Enhancing Strategic Partnerships: Strengthen maritime alliances with key Indo-Pacific nations to counter China's growing influence and secure vital trade routes.
  • Expanding collaborations with countries like the Island Countries like Maldives and Madagascar will ensure collective security and stability in the region.
  • Foster deeper ties within the Quad, ensuring that strategic infrastructure projects, security partnerships, and multilateral initiatives are prioritized.
• Expanding Maritime Infrastructure and Connectivity: Accelerate the development of port infrastructure, focusing on efficiency, modern technologies, and seamless connectivity with inland transportation.
  • This includes upgrading facilities like the Sagarmala Programme to improve logistics and reduce high costs.
• Strengthening Domestic Shipbuilding and Innovation: Promote innovation in domestic shipbuilding by incentivizing the sector through competitive financing, technology adoption, and research.
  • This will help reduce India’s reliance on foreign ships, creating a sustainable maritime industry.
• Addressing Environmental Sustainability: Align maritime growth with India’s commitment to sustainability by intensifying efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the shipping industry.
• Improving Maritime Security: Enhance surveillance and monitoring capabilities to safeguard the nation’s maritime domain.
  • Expand the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) to provide real-time intelligence to regional partners, improving collective maritime security.

Conclusion

India’s expanding maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean Region aligns closely with its regional security and economic objectives. By strengthening maritime infrastructure, enhancing naval capabilities, and promoting regional cooperation, India seeks to assert its role as a dominant maritime power.