Maritime Security Risks, Vulnerabilities and Cooperation: Uncertainty in the Indian Ocean (original) (raw)
Related papers
Geopolitics and Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean
While piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean are current issues, so-called Great Power rivalry is not yet an immediate security threat in the region. However, the potential effects of Great Power rivalry are more fundamental and reach further than acts of terrorism or piracy. In terms of this rivalry, two major issues stand out. The first is increasing maritime rivalry between India and China. The second major instance of potential Great Power rivalry in the Indian Ocean relates to the risk of spillover effects from maritime tensions in the western Pacific Ocean, including the East and South China Seas.
Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean: Convergence Plus Cooperation Equals Resonance
The post-Cold War period has witnessed significant maritime developments. The intensification of trade-linked development and entering into force of Laws of the Seas in 1994 led to state interests being increasingly identified with the seas in terms of freedom of navigation and ocean resources, thus making maritime issues a major subset of national security. Events leading to 9/11 saw the addition of an amorphous dimension to existing threats, thus expanding the ambit of maritime security. While the scope of this paper is restricted to the northern Indian Ocean, globally, the Indian Ocean holds the maximum stakes in terms of vital resources and sea-lines; yet coincidentally, is also the most imperilled, especially in terms of asymmetric threats. India, an emerging power in the region, can assume the responsibility to address these threats through a proactive approach and convergence of interests with regional maritime players.
Maritime Security Interests: India in the Western Indian Ocean
Athena (ISSN: 2454-1605), 2021
The Western Indian Ocean is a maritime gateway to Europe and North America from Asia. Consisting of the African littoral states, the region has an abundance of rare-earth materials and energy resources. The vital chokepoints and SLOCs in the region make it an important Exclusive Economic Zone. India's presence in the region can be traced to the medieval period when its traders used these sea routes for trade with the Arabs and Persia. But this maritime contact gradually eroded under the British Empire. Post-independence, India's maritime policy remained largely inward and continental. It was after the change of the century that India realized the importance of the maritime domain in its strategic doctrine. The growing Chinese presence, energy security, and the protection of the SLOCs in the Indian Ocean Region contributed to this policy reorientation. Since the last decade, India has attempted to enhance cooperation with the Western Indian Ocean littorals, situated either near or at the chokepoints. India has been actively involved in the region through HADR, SAR, and anti-piracy operations. The African Ocean Rim littorals also regard India as a dependable security partner. In some cases, India has established itself as a security guarantor, as is arguably the case with Mauritius and the Maldives. There is also the possibility of broader cooperation with like-minded partners like France and Japan to counter China in the region. In this context, the paper looks into India's active participation in the region, under its broader Indian Ocean policy, to fulfill its aspiration of emerging as a great power.
CREATING A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR MARITIME SECURITY COOPERATION IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION
ABSTRACT In the new century global super power and influential nations have put their interest on India Ocean Region (IOR) due to its vast growth in strategic importance in geo political, natural resources, commercial and security aspect. However, it is facing a risk of growing strategic competition mainly between India and China. Amidst such developments Western powers particularly America exhibits an extensive interest and influence in the region. Nevertheless, risk of interstate conflict, terrorism, illegal fishing, and smuggling, human trafficking, gun running, drug trafficking, natural disasters, sea level rising, climatic changes etc. and many traditional and non-traditional security threats are evident in the IOR. Therefore, IOR states have understood the necessity of a strategic frame work for maritime security cooperation. In this regard considerable efforts are being made by the regional countries. Since most of the countries are under developing and strangled with internal political upheaval the efforts lack significant momentum. Consequently, some conflicts have global implications. This situation presents many threats to IOR to withstand and make a strong regional organisation. However, now Indian Ocean security is no longer domain in colonial states or super powers. Today India and China has become a regional power and they are acting as developing their domination and influence over Indian Ocean. Nevertheless current global realities has introduces new maritime security issues as non-state actors are influencing the security in the region directly. Therefor this is serious issue in IOR in terms of maritime security and trade concern.
2018
This thesis assesses India’s maritime strategy and critically examines its efficacy and sustainability including India’s ambitions to be the “net security provider” for the region.” It seeks to answer the question, whether or not the extant maritime strategy would help India maintain its balance of power with respect to China, and recommends complementary actions and alternate strategic options for India to fulfill its goals in the Indian Ocean. The first part of the thesis examines the entire range of strategic maritime threats and challenges posed to India by the evolving Indian Ocean security environment of the twenty-first century. These include the non-traditional threats such as piracy, maritime terrorism and illegal fishing as well as traditional threats posed by India’s hostile neighbours, China and Pakistan. Subsequently, it looks at how India’s foreign policy has shaped its maritime doctrine and strategy, and examines the stated objectives of India’s maritime strategy that...
Syntax Literate ; Jurnal Ilmiah Indonesia, 2021
The Indian Ocean region is currently becoming the world's attention. Although many parties see good opportunities from various aspects, this region still has its own challenges. The Indian Ocean provides a complex geopolitical framework in which foreign powers and local state interests are deeply intermingled. This paper discusses how the collaboration and synergy undertaken by countries in the Indian Ocean region face non-traditional maritime security challenges, especially those directly related to ocean health and the environment. Moving on from the three SDG points directly related to environmental issues, countries in the Indian Ocean region have shown collaboration to maintain regional stability from all aspects, especially environmentally sustainable development. Furthermore, more intensive cooperation is needed because there are more and more challenges, especially non-traditional ones.
Evolving Geopolitics and Security Dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region: An Analytical Overview
Journal of Nautical Eye and Strategic Studies, 2024
The political and security landscape of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is changing, giving it greater strategic significance. China's regional policy and Belt and Road Initiative pose a threat to existing powers, and India's changing approach in the Indo-Pacific region (IOR) reflects worries about China's economic impact and ascent. With programs like the Act East plan, outreach into the western Indian Ocean, and the Security and Growth in the Area (SAGAR) framework, India is demonstrating its leadership. This emphasizes the viewpoints that are often ignored in international geopolitics. The third-largest ocean in the world, the Indian Ocean, is a vital center for international trade and geopolitics. It is home to important chokepoints for trade and the movement of energy, such as the Straits of Hormuz and Malacca. Important factors include cultural variety, environmental concerns, and marine security, with the US, China, and India vying for influence. It continues to be strategically important due to its rich cultural legacy, continuous regional organizations, a combination of economic prospects, and geopolitical concerns. Global politics and trade are changing as a result of China's Belt