The Geography of Opportunity for India

Hello friends, much water has been flown after the unfortunate Galwan clashes. India - China stalemate has not been resolved yet. USA will see a new president in the chair in the new year. In this context, all world capitals are looking towards one entity- the Indian ocean.

Let's try to analyze what are the geographical and geographical implications of the Indian ocean for India!

The Indian Ocean is the only ocean in the world to be named after a nation. Its geographical extent starts from East Africa to South East Asia, up to Antarctica in the south. It’s the third-largest ocean among the five. It shares 25% of total landmass on the earth with its littoral countries (those who share a maritime boundary with the Indian ocean).  Two third of the World’s oil trade, half of the bulk cargo, and half of the container traffic pass through the Indian ocean.

Indian Ocean Location
(Source- Googleusercontent.com)

                

It becomes natural for India to have huge stakes in the Indian ocean. K.M.Pannikar , an eminent Indian diplomat in quoted 1940s, “while to other countries the Indian Ocean is only one of the important oceanic areas, to India it is a vital sea. Her lifelines are concentrated in that area, her freedom is dependent on the freedom of that water surface. India’s location is central to the eastern and western stretches of the ocean. It also extends to the South with its coastline, making it an asset for India’s maritime operations in the region.

Another two key strategic assets for India are it's two islands, Lakshadweep on the western flank and Andaman and Nicobar in the east. An Indian Naval station, INS DWEEPRAKSHAK is located on Lakshadweep. Andaman and Nicobar islands have a tri-service command along with naval air force station INS BAAZ. The islands face to South East. Thus they form the backbone to secure Indian interests in the straits of Malacca, one of the most important chokepoints in the region.

Andaman and Nicobar Location

                                                           (source- idsa.com)

Along with location, there is another important factor, Oil. India imports 80% of its oil requirements. Most trade takes place through vital Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) in the Indian ocean. Security of these SLOCs has been a prime concern for India as the ocean has suffered from piracy. Chokepoint security like Gulf of Eden, Strait of Hormuz, straits of Malacca, etc has been another vital concern.

India shredded its “I am alone” approach in Indian Ocean in the 1990s with changing international atmosphere and its increasing trade as its New Economic policy. It has been engaged with all major stakeholders in the region for ‘ peace and security in the region.’ Platforms like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) needs to be strengthened to ensure this. India has carried out developmental diplomacy with small island nations like Mauritius, Syeceels. It has also helped in disasters like the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia. Along with this, the Indian Navy’s professionalism and formidable capabilities has built India’s image as a net security provider in the region.

India have moved into closer cooperation with the USA, Japan, and Australia as China had been trying to increase its sphere of influence in the region. Its new initiatives like SAGARMALA, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region ) are aimed to gain an edge over China in the region, especially in islands like Mauritius, Seychelles, etc. ‘Indo- Pacific’ as one politico-military entity and Quad are also evolving on these lines. Nirupama Rao quoted in 2012 “India and the Indian Ocean are inseparable. India’s location is its destiny.” 

(Indian Ocean view -source-gettyimages)

Thus, the Indian ocean provides a geography of opportunity to India to protect and promote its interests in the region in the near as well as distant future. 

Let's discuss the new construct- Indo-Pacific in shaping this future in the next article.

References-

The Indian Ocean- an essay by David Scott (Oxford handbook for Foreign Policy of India)

India (Re)discovers the Indian Ocean- Manoj Joshi, ORF 

Strategic Importance of Andaman and Nicobar- Sujay Chinoy, IDSA