Why is the Indian Ocean so important for India?

 Why is it in the news?

1. India and Mauritius signed eight pacts during the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Mauritius. India assured to build a new Parliament building in Mauritius. It would invest 100 cr for the development of infrastructure. 500 civil servants from Mauritius will be trained in India in the next five years. 

2. India would support implementation of E-judiciary system. It would strengthen cooperation in the field of cyber security and digital public infrastructure. India would enhance maritime cooperation through increased deployment of ships and aircraft for joint maritime surveillance and hydrographic surveys. 

3. India would work towards timely delivery of 100 E-buses and the associated charging infrastructure. It would provide replacement of a 100 km water pipeline in Mauritius. 

4. Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on sharing best practices on Parliamentary proceedings. India would set up an Ayush Centre of Excellence in Mauritius. 

5.India backed Mauritius claimed over Chagos, a strategically located Indian Ocean archipelago that has long been a centre of a dispute between Mauritius and the UK. 

6. Cooperation between India and Mauritius is significant in the context of China’s strategic footprint increasing in the region. 

7. It is to be noted that Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean. It is inhabited by 68% people of Indian origin. The Britishers brought Indian indentured labour to Mauritius for the cultivation of sugarcane. India is the largest trading partner of Mauritius and a major investor in its economy. It is located near major sea lanes of communication. It is part of India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine to counter China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean. India is developing a military base for maritime surveillance at Agalega islands to counter the Chinese influence in Africa and the Indian ocean after China built a naval base in Djibouti. Indian navy conducts regular petrols to safeguard Mauritius’ exclusive economic zone. India supplies petrol boats, aircrafts and military training to Mauritian coast guards. 

Geo strategic importance of the Indian Ocean

1. India has a vast coastline of  7500 km and over 1200 islands including Andaman & Nicobar islands and Laksyadweep. 

2. India is near critical maritime choke points like the strait of Malacca, Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb. These straits are essential for trade and military strategy. 

3. Over 80% of India’s crude oil imports passed through the Indian Ocean. 95% of India’s trade by volume and 68% by value are made through the Indian ocean.

4. The Indian Ocean is rich in marine resources, supporting India’s fishing industry and coastal livelihoods. 

5.  Through Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), India promotes regional security and economic cooperation. 

6. The Indian Ocean ensures trade, energy security and military dominance of India. Safeguarding the Indian ocean is essential for India’s sovereignty, economic stability and global influence. 

7. Whenever, there has been dominance of any foreign power in the Indian Ocean, the sovereignty of India was compromised. It became the victim of foreign domination. On the contrary, whenever India dominated the Indian ocean, it showed military prowess and higher economic growth not only in South India but South East Asia in particular and the world in general. In short, the Indian ocean is vital for the economic development, environmental sustainability, energy security and trade and commerce for India. 

TO WATCH FULL VIDEO ON THIS TOPIC, CLICK ON THE LINK GIVEN BELOW

Chinese threat

1. China has expanded its presence in the Indian Ocean region by adopting the policy of string of pearls which refers to the setting of a series of ports and bases surrounding India. For example, China developed Gwadar port (Pakistan), Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Djibouti Naval Base (Horn of Africa), Kyaukpyu port (Myanmar), and increased Chinese investments in the islands of Maldives and Seychelles. These military bases allow China to encircle India in the Indian Ocean. 

2. The Belt and Road Initiative of China is meant to finance major infrastructure projects in Indian ocean region nations. However, many of these projects trap countries in debt forcing them to cede strategic assets. The economic dominance of China in these regions would further reduce India’s diplomatic influence. 

3. China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean further raises serious security concerns for India. Deployment of Chinese research vessels is a threat to India’s military operations. Increased Chinese activity near the Andaman Nicobar islands  pose a direct security threat to India’s Eastern flank. 

Counter measures by India

India has taken several measures to address Chinese threats. 

1. Deployment of naval warships like INS Vikrant , INS Vikramaditya and Nuclear submarines in the Indian Ocean.

2. India has strengthened partnerships with the US, Japan and Australia under QUAD to promote cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region to combat Chinese threat. India has also made cooperation with ASEAN countries, focused on joint naval exercise and intelligence sharing to enhance maritime security. 

3. India has launched regional groupings like IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association), IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) to assert its leadership. 

4. India has been offering alternative infrastructure funding to Indian ocean region countries to reduce Chinese debt trap. 

5. In short, Chinese military expansion, economic dominance and strategic encirclement pose a direct threat to India’s sovereignty in the Indian Ocean. 

6. India is investing in the development of maritime infrastructure including ports and naval bases. India is pursuing diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with Indian Ocean littoral states, offering economic and military assistance to counterbalance Chinese influence. Moreover, India is enhancing its naval capabilities by modernising its fleet and increasing its maritime surveillance. This includes the acquisition of advanced submarines, aircrafts carriers and maritime patrol aircrafts to ensure a robust presence in the Indian Ocean. 

Conclusion

1. India must ensure the free flow of goods and services in the Indian Ocean uninterrupted by any major power. It should revive the 1971 UN resolution for an Indian Ocean as a zone of peace to limit great power competition. 

2. India should also push for an Indian Ocean demilitarisation agreement to restrict foreign military bases. 

3. India should promote regional maritime security cooperation. India must strengthen its naval power to combat Chinese growing naval influence. In addition, it should cooperate with the US, Japan, and Australia to neutralise the Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.