The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is central to India’s security and economic interests, with a substantial share of global trade and energy shipments passing through its sea lanes. India’s maritime neighbourhood, comprising countries such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Bangladesh, offers opportunities for cooperation in security, connectivity and the blue economy. However, intensifying geopolitical competition and divergent national interests pose significant challenges.
Opportunities for India
- Maritime security cooperation: Joint patrols, information-sharing and coordinated surveillance can help address piracy, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing and trafficking.
- Strengthening regional institutions: Platforms such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Colombo Security Conclave provide avenues for institutionalised maritime cooperation.
- Strategic partnerships: Defence cooperation, capacity-building and maritime training can strengthen the capabilities of neighbouring countries while enhancing India’s regional role.
- Connectivity and infrastructure development: Port development, coastal shipping and maritime infrastructure can improve regional trade and economic integration. India’s cooperation with Sri Lanka and Maldives is particularly significant.
- Blue economy cooperation: Joint initiatives in fisheries, marine research, renewable ocean energy and sustainable tourism can generate shared economic benefits.
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief: India’s geographical proximity and naval capabilities enable rapid responses to cyclones, tsunamis, oil spills and other maritime emergencies.
Major challenges
- China’s expanding strategic presence: Growing Chinese investments and strategic engagements in ports and infrastructure across the IOR create concerns regarding India’s maritime security.
- Political sensitivities among neighbours: Domestic political changes and sovereignty concerns can affect defence agreements and infrastructure projects with India.
- Limited institutional coordination: Differences in maritime capabilities, priorities and national interests restrict effective regional cooperation.
- Non-traditional security threats: Illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, piracy and climate-induced maritime risks require sustained cross-border coordination.
- Infrastructure and capacity constraints: Several smaller island nations lack adequate maritime surveillance systems, trained personnel and financial resources.
Way forward
- Promote cooperative maritime security: Strengthen information-sharing through the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), joint exercises and coordinated patrols.
- Adopt a consultative approach: Ensure that maritime partnerships respect the sovereignty and strategic autonomy of neighbouring countries.
- Enhance capacity-building: Provide training, surveillance equipment, hydrographic assistance and technical support to smaller maritime neighbours.
- Strengthen regional frameworks: Improve coordination through IORA, BIMSTEC and the Colombo Security Conclave, with clearly defined areas of cooperation.
- Prioritise sustainable development: Promote the blue economy, marine conservation, disaster resilience and climate adaptation through mutually beneficial projects.
Conclusion
India’s maritime neighbourhood offers an opportunity to transform the Indian Ocean from a theatre of geopolitical competition into a zone of shared prosperity and security. A SAGAR-oriented approach—emphasising security, trust and regional cooperation— can strengthen India’s position as a reliable maritime partner while safeguarding its strategic interests.