Context:
While the Indian government’s primary focus from January 2021 centered on the Indo-Pacific region, with a concerted effort to bolster the Quad alliance, policy emphasis has reverted to the Indian Ocean since October 2023. Although the Indo-Pacific strategy encompasses both the Pacific and Indian Oceans, during times of heightened peril, the immediate neighborhood assumes greater significance than distant shores.
Relevance:
GS2-
- Groupings and Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
- Regional Groupings
- Important International Institutions
- International Treaties & Agreements
Mains Question:
Both the Western and Northern Indian Ocean have become active geographies again. In this context, discuss India’s current approach in the Indian Ocean Region and suggest a way forward strategy in this regard. (15 Marks, 250 Words).
Various Dimensions of the Indian Ocean Region and India’s Respective Positions:
Maldives:
The change in policy in the Maldives, under President Mohamed Muizzu’s leadership, appears to be causing friction with India. Despite New Delhi’s patience and diplomatic approach, Male continues to strengthen its ties with China.
Mauritius:
Last month, India’s SAGAR policy yielded a significant benefit as the Prime Ministers of India and Mauritius inaugurated a new airstrip and jetty in the Agaléga Islands, enhancing Mauritius’s ability to combat illicit activities in its extensive Exclusive Economic Zone.
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka has demonstrated greater consideration for India’s security worries by implementing a year-long ban on foreign research vessels, including those from China, accessing its ports.
Western Indian Ocean:
- Western Indian Ocean, extending from the Arabian Sea to the Suez Canal, have become active regions once again.
- This is evidenced by the gradual regionalization of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen in the attacks by Houthi rebels on international shipping, resulting in a significant decrease in transits through the Suez Canal.
- As a consequence, the redirection of ships to the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope negatively impacts all nations in the area, regardless of their size.
- This series of developments is expected to enhance the Chinese Navy’s presence in the region, with the overarching goal of asserting dominance.
- With the Maldives showing willingness to cooperate, Beijing wasted no time in announcing a new agreement, offering unspecified military assistance to the Maldives at no cost.
- This announcement coincided with the replacement of 88 Indian military personnel, who were authorized by the host nation to conduct humanitarian flights using three aviation platforms, with a civilian group.
China:
- The strategic rivalry between China and India is escalating. China relies heavily on the region for its trade and energy supplies, which underscores the importance of securing its supply routes.
- However, concerning is China’s strategic aim to undermine India’s security by alienating its neighboring countries.
- A discernible pattern is emerging as Beijing seeks naval bases in Djibouti, Kyaukphyu, Gwadar, and Hambantota.
- This, coupled with the prolonged border standoff spanning almost four years and defying diplomatic resolution, has perpetuated the adversarial relationship between the two nations.
- India’s defense secretary recently remarked that India has been confronting a determined “bully” both at the border and in the Indo-Pacific region, where a significant moment is unfolding.
- He emphasized that India and the U.S. are crucial stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific, cooperating to address the strategic competition posed by China.
- Collaboration in underwater domain awareness has been identified as a key strategy in countering these emerging threats.
The United Kingdom, European Union, France, and Germany:
- Given their geographic proximity to the region, it is imperative for them to adopt a clear stance on China’s activities.
- While they express concerns about Beijing’s unlawful claims in the South China Sea, they must also recognize a similar trend of assertiveness and hostile intentions emerging in the Indian Ocean.
- Each of these actors seeks closer economic and security ties with India, and progress in this direction is being made gradually. However, they exhibit a deliberate ambiguity when assessing China’s actions and its underlying long-term motives.
- The geographical distance of European nations from China may instil a false sense of security, prompting a reevaluation of their fundamental strategies concerning Asia.
- However, whether they will undertake such a reassessment, given their heightened focus on conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, remains uncertain.
- Recent engagements with European officials and scholars offer limited optimism, underscoring the ongoing necessity to persuade them of the importance of this matter.
Way Forward:
- Initially, India must articulate a clear message to its strategic allies, affirming its awareness of its Indo-Pacific obligations while emphasizing its prioritization of the Indian Ocean region.
- Secondly, a comprehensive evaluation of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is imperative. While IORA’s effectiveness has dwindled, rendered too vague to yield significant impact, the CSC confronts the risk of losing a crucial member, the Maldives, should the island nation deepen its ties with China.
Conclusion:
New Delhi may consider advocating for the establishment of a fresh mechanism aimed at enhancing maritime security and leveraging the potential of the Blue Economy. As India aspires to become the world’s third-largest economy, it should allocate additional budgetary resources to enhance its Navy’s capabilities, aiming to elevate it to the position of the third or fourth strongest naval force globally.
