India’s Maritime Potential | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Maritime security holds paramount importance on the global stage, with concerns ranging from sea piracy to illegal immigration and weapon trafficking. For India, ensuring maritime security is a vital component of national security.

Transition from Continental to Maritime Strategies

A shift from continental to maritime strategies is imperative due to several reasons:

• In contrast to the constrained environment of continental geopolitics, the maritime domain offers India opportunities for coalition building, rule establishment, and strategic exploration.
• While Euro-American interest in India's land borders with China and Pakistan is minimal, there is significant great power involvement in the maritime sphere, especially with the emergence of the Indo-Pacific concept.
• Recent developments, such as Germany's Indo-Pacific guidelines and France's Indo-Pacific strategy, underscore the heightened global focus on maritime affairs.
• China's assertive actions in the South China Sea have galvanized Euro-American powers and regional actors like Australia and Japan to counter Chinese unilateralism, presenting India with a chance to expand its influence and mitigate Chinese ambitions.
• Given China's heavy reliance on maritime trade routes, the maritime domain holds greater significance for Beijing than attempting opportunistic land grabs in the Himalayas.
• Organizations like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) offer strategic leverage, serving as vital transit routes and facilitating deeper integration with ASEAN nations.
• Various initiatives, including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and strengthened naval partnerships, contribute to enhanced multilateral cooperation, aligning India with like-minded partners in the region.

Significance of the Indian Ocean for India

• India's extensive coastline of over 7,500 km underscores its natural interest in bolstering maritime security.
• Securing critical Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) in the Indian Ocean, including those via the Bab al-Mandab, Strait of Hormuz, and Straits of Malacca, is essential for energy security and economic prosperity.
• The Indian Ocean region facilitates the transportation of 75% of global maritime trade and 50% of daily global oil consumption, underscoring its strategic significance for India and the world.

Additional Benefits of a Strong Maritime Strategy

• Safeguarding India's territorial integrity against maritime threats.
• Ensuring stability in the maritime vicinity of India.
• Fostering the development and sustainability of a 'Blue' Economy, encompassing:
• Preservation, promotion, and protection of offshore infrastructure and maritime resources within and beyond India's Maritime Zones.
• Promotion, protection, and safety of India's coastal and overseas seaborne trade, including Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and ports.
• Support for marine scientific research, including activities in Antarctica and the Arctic.
• Providing comprehensive maritime security, ensuring freedom from threats originating from or occurring in the sea.
• Offering support and assistance options for the Indian Diaspora in maritime regions.
• Securing and maintaining a strategically advantageous maritime position in the region.

Conclusion

• India faces multifaceted challenges and opportunities in maritime security.
• Despite being the smallest among the armed forces, the Indian Navy, complemented by the Indian Coast Guard, has established a commendable presence in the extended Indian Ocean region. From responding to disasters like the 2004 Tsunami to conducting humanitarian missions, the Indian Navy has consistently brought pride to the nation.
• It is imperative for India to formulate and implement a maritime strategy tailored to its core maritime interests. This strategy should prioritize an 'interests-based approach,' recognizing that India's geo-economic objectives in the 21st century are increasingly linked to the maritime domain, both regionally and globally.