Indian Ocean and India

India – surrounded by Indian Ocean on three sides – geographical location of India makes Indian Ocean integral part of its foreign policy, security & trade decision.

• At present, Indian Ocean carries about half of world’s container shipment.
• Indian Ocean carries 90% of India’s trade by volume and 90% of oil imports
• India is highly dependent upon ocean resources such as fishing and aquaculture.
• India is also involved in deep sea mineral exploration in Central Indian Ocean with help from South Korea.
• Indian Ocean gives India access to the South-Asia, South East Asia, Africa, West Asia and Oceania – important from the point of view of energy, economic trade and security

• After the attack on Mumbai and increasing presence of China in Indian Ocean, Indian Ocean has become an integral part of India’s maritime policy
• The Indian Navy played a pivotal role in containing piracy on the high seas and is positioning itself as the “net security provider” in the broader Indian Ocean region with capacity building & joint exercises

Challenges in IOR 

• Maritime crime + Piracy + Security of choke points like Strait of Malacca & Sunda strait
• Drug hauls and human trafficking in South and Southeast Asia is rising exponentially
• Illegal migration & rise in refugee movement from Bangladesh & Myanmar resulted in a humanitarian crisis

Indian Ocean Rim Association 

• International association of 21 Indian Ocean littoral states with India as a core member.
• Aims at strengthening Maritime Cooperation for economic association, regional integration promote sustainable development and balanced regional growth

Way Ahead 

• Littoral states should promote regional groupings like IORA which promote inclusive and sustainable regional development.
• Initiatives such as SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region – a good strategy to engage the regional countries and counter not only Chinese presence but also increase the economic integration and security.
• Areas such as disaster management, technological advancement, blue economy, sustainable resource extraction, humanitarian assistance should also be explored