Geopolitics of Confidence and Hope: Assessing the Strategic Significance of the Bay of Bengal and Choices before Bangladesh (original) (raw)
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Journal of Territorial and Maritime Studies, 2022
Article Type: Research Paper Purpose-In the Indian Ocean Region, the Bay of Bengal is re-emerging economically and strategically. The region has become a theater of strategic power play due to its strategic relevance, the presence of critical SLOCs, and the strong economic prospects of several adjoining states. India is the region's largest naval power, and it strives to maintain a rule-based maritime order. In this regard, this research aims to investigate possible strategies for India for becoming a regional net security provider. Design, Methodology, Approach-The content analysis approach has been used to prepare the paper. Findings-As key forces in the region fight for strategic and economic initiatives, the Bay of Bengal's strategic importance will only increase. As a result of these advantages, rival states' naval capabilities and presence in the Indo-Pacific will be enhanced. Along with a pervasive sense of competitiveness in the region, there are more opportunities for friendly nations to collaborate. India must be willing to try new things and let go of old inhibitions when it is needed. It must pursue principles like burden-sharing and fully utilize the friendly navies eager to assist India's position in the area. India would have to manage its relations with China as it continues to construct a bay community. The Sino-Indian dynamic will have a profound impact on the region's growing security architecture in the maritime sphere. India must work on building trust, strengthening, and diversifying its engagement with partner countries, and continue its HADR role to further calibrate its position in the region. By strengthening its engagements, India would be able to shift from a reactive to a proactive policy. Practical Implications-This paper argues that India may consolidate its influence 48 Journal of Territorial and Maritime Studies, Summer/Fall 2022 and position in the Bay of Bengal area through concentrated efforts to cooperate with like-minded partners, further enhancing its maritime diplomacy through the use of soft and hard power, and effective coordination with BIMSTEC.