Tag: Indian Ocean Region

Strategic Imperatives: Fortifying Lakshadweep for Regional Security and Development
Asia, Featured, World

Strategic Imperatives: Fortifying Lakshadweep for Regional Security and Development

The geographical proximity to the Maldives and Sri Lanka heightens the risk of political turmoil affecting Lakshadweep. The growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region and persistent piracy issues add to the potential security concerns. A thoughtful and comprehensive defence-centric strategy could be the key to addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by this picturesque archipelago. Lakshadweep, a stunning cluster of 36 atolls known for its biodiversity, found itself in the spotlight amid PM Modi's recent visit to this strategic island. The archipelago, located 400 km west of Kerala, comprises 36 islands with only 10 inhabited. Covering a mere 32 sq km of land, it boasts a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 400,000 sq km. With a 96% Muslim population cultura...
Unravelling Dynamics: Assessing the Progression of ‘India Out’ Campaign in Maldives
Analysis, Asia, Featured, World

Unravelling Dynamics: Assessing the Progression of ‘India Out’ Campaign in Maldives

Indicating a foreign policy shift, neglecting India, the Muizzu administration is reaching out to Türkiye and China, who are not favourable to India's security concerns. While the Maldivian vice-president attended the China-sponsored IORFDC summit, Maldives skipped the Colombo Security Dialogue that involves India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Mauritius. President Muizzu who ran the campaign of ‘India out’ during the presidential polls and gave priority to China, is expected to work in that direction. After Mohamed Muizzu became president of Maldives, notable foreign policy decisions have been made, signalling a significant change in approach towards India. However, one should not be surprised by the changing course of action of Males as it was evident from the presidential election cam...
Maldives | Strategic Importance for India and the Increasing Chinese Influence
Asia, Featured, World

Maldives | Strategic Importance for India and the Increasing Chinese Influence

Many important Sea Lines of communications (SLOCs) pass through the Indian Ocean which makes the  Indian Ocean Region (IOR) very important. Therefore, great powers, including India and China, are working to increase their presence in the region. Due to the strategic location of Maldives in the Indian Ocean, India and China are both vying to increase their influence in Male. Recent Developments In the Maldives, a clear division can be seen among the main political parties related to India and China. Therefore, which country, either India or China, will enjoy greater leverage over Male can be judged by which political party is in power. The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), considered as pro-China, and the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), considered as pro-India, were the two ...
The Tussle for Maritime Dominance in the Indian Ocean Region
Analysis, Asia, Defence & Security, Featured, World

The Tussle for Maritime Dominance in the Indian Ocean Region

India’s 95 per cent of trade by volume and 68 per cent by value comes through the Indian Ocean and it plays a pivotal role in its economy and security. The Malacca Dilemma is Beijing’s most critical concern due to the strait’s economic importance.Maritime security issues such as freedom of navigation, piracy operations, sea lane safety, fishery, energy security, and environmental protection have become prominent issues in the Indo-pacific region. The rapid expansion of Chinese PLAN and its presence in the Indian Ocean through different means of security patrol, the gulf of Eden missions and recently acquired ports have very much concerned the regional powers in the Indian Ocean Region. India has a defence edge in the Indian Ocean and Malacca strait due to its military base in the ...
Opinion | The Pacific blunder of the West and a nonstarter AUKUS
Analysis, Asia, Featured, World

Opinion | The Pacific blunder of the West and a nonstarter AUKUS

Alarm bells are ringing in the South Pacific after the government of Solomon Island signed a framework agreement on security cooperation with China. This is big news in the geostrategic circles. However, it seems the world is still obsessing over Ukraine and Russia and this unnecessary preoccupation is now costing America and its Southern Hemisphere allies in their own backyard. Bejing calls the agreement between the Solomon Island and the People's Republic of China, an agreement that seeks "social stability and long-term tranquillity in the Solomon Islands and is not targeted at any third country. The agreement states that China will help maintain social order, protection of the safety of people's lives and property, humanitarian assistance, and natural disaster response,". How...
Indian Ocean Region is of geo-strategic importance and Race for strategic bases in the region to increase in future: General Bipin Rawat
Defence & Security, National

Indian Ocean Region is of geo-strategic importance and Race for strategic bases in the region to increase in future: General Bipin Rawat

Over 120 warships of extra-regional forces are currently deployed in the Indian Ocean Region in support of various missions, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat said on Friday, referring to increasing maritime presence of various countries in the strategic sea lanes. Delivering the keynote address at the Global Dialogue Security Council, Gen Rawat said there has been a "race for strategic places and bases" in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) which is only going to gain momentum in times to come. The Chief of Defence Staff said an increasing number of countries are focusing on the IOR considering its geo-strategic importance. “Most of the countries in the region are seeking to reap the economic dividends through improved connectivity and harassing blue economy for which infrastructure i...