Indian Ocean Region

Context:

Threats in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and in waters adjacent to the East African countries might increase and the Indian Navy is striving to boost its presence and keep the sea routes safe, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

Indian Ocean Region

The Indian Ocean region is a sea route that connects Africa, Asia, and Australia. It is a region that has quite significant economic and strategic value; most countries rely on this region for trade, resources, and security.

What’s in the Indian Ocean region?

• Countries
  • The Indian Ocean region is covered by countries such as India, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Australia, Indonesia, and South Africa.
• Islands
  • The Indian Ocean comprises islands such as Madagascar, Maldives, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Sea Routes
  • The Indian Ocean comprises choke points like the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, and Bab-el Mandeb
• Subregions
  • The Indian Ocean region has subregions such as South Asia, the Middle East, and the eastern coast of Africa

Why is the Indian Ocean Region Significant?

• Trade
  • Indian Ocean sea lanes alone manage approximately 70 percent of global container traffic.
  • India heavily relies on the Indian Ocean for energy security, wherein about 80% of its crude oil imports transit through these waters.
• Resources
  • This ocean has vital resources including, oil and other commodities of gas.
• Security
  • Indian Ocean provides an opportunity for India to assert geopolitical influence and play a counter role to the expanding Chinese footprint in the region.
• Act East Policy
  • India’s “Act East” and “Neighbourhood First” policies significantly depend on maritime connectivity.

Threats and Issues for India in Indian Ocean Region

• Increasing Chinese Footprint
  • China’s growing footprints in the Indian Ocean are increasingly challenging India’s space within the region.
• Maritime Security Challenges
  • Piracy, terrorism, and illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean have long been issues that India is faced with.
• Geopolitical Tensions with Neighbors
  • Relations are tense with some Indian Ocean neighbors that hinder India’s pursuit of regional leadership.
• Illegal Fishing
  • The fishermen issue between India and Sri Lanka persists as more than 200 Indian fishermen were arrested in 2023 alone.
• Global Warming
  • Global warming of the Indian Ocean leads to half of sea level rise.
  • Increased frequency and intensity of cyclones strain India’s disaster management capabilities.
• Marine Pollution
  • Marine pollution, including plastic waste, threatens biodiversity and fisheries.
• India’s Efforts
  • India’s efforts, such as the National Coastal Mission, face challenges in coordinating multi-agency responses and securing adequate funding.
• Gaps in maritime infrastructure and connectivity
  • Only 25% of Sagarmala has been completed by 2023.
• Non-traditional security risks
  • Non-traditional security risks include cybersecurity threats to maritime infrastructure, increasing drug trafficking, and IUU fishing.

Steps for Consolidation of India’s Role in the Indian Ocean Region

• Strengthen Maritime Infrastructure Development
  • Speed up the Sagarmala programme, focusing on flagship projects that promote connectivity and economic activity.
• Strengthening Naval Capabilities
  • Move the naval modernization program at a faster scale, keep a focus on blue-water and littoral capabilities, and push for unmanned systems.
• Growing Strategic Partnerships
  • India should grow strong strategic partnerships with key Indian Ocean nations and extra-regional powers.
• Strengthening Maritime Domain Awareness
  • Develop a network of coastal radar stations across India along with advanced satellite and AI-based monitoring systems
• Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)
  • Upgrade Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) with real time data processing capacity
  • The Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) is a maritime security center that monitors and shares information about the Indian Ocean. It was launched in December 2018 and is located in Gurugram, India. 
• Develop Strategic Island Territories
  • Accelerate the strategic island territories, starting with the development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
  • Strategic efforts should be made in other islands, too, like developing dual-use airstrips and naval facilities.
• Maritime Partnerships to Be Increased
  • India should expand its maritime partnerships by doing more of naval exercises, joint patrolling, and capacity-building efforts.
  • Concretization in the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine’s initiatives should be made.
• Blue Economy Initiatives to Be Invested In
  • India should pursue its Blue Economy agenda with a focus on sustainable exploitation of marine resources, development of coastal and marine tourism, and promotion of marine biotechnology.
• Develop Regional Disaster Response Capabilities
  • India should further develop its regional disaster response capabilities.
  • The arrival of INS Jalashwa at Port Ehoala, Madagascar, as part of the SAGAR initiative marked a positive step in strengthening India’s regional outreach.

Sagarmala

Sagarmala is a programme of the Government of India for port-led development in India. The programme focuses on improving the efficiency of ports, reducing the logistics cost and developing the coastal communities.

• What does Sagarmala do?
  • Develops modern and new ports
  • Improves connectivity of ports
  • Promotes industrialization around ports etc.
• How does Sagarmala work?
  • The program utilizes India’s 7,500 km coastline and 14,500 km of navigable waterways
  • The program focuses on integrated planning and sustainable development
  • The program aims to reduce logistics costs for domestic and EXIM trade
• When did Sagarmala begin?
  • The Union Cabinet approved the Sagarmala concept in March 2015
  • The Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL) was incorporated in August 2016