Balancing the Seas: India’s Response to Geopolitical Shifts in the Indian Ocean Region

Abstract

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is of great importance to India, as nearly 90% of its trade by volume passes through the ocean. Therefore, ensuring maritime order and ocean security is crucial for India. The increasing geopolitical competition in the IOR, driven by China’s rise and its growing relations in South Asia and Southeast Asia, threatens India’s maritime security and ambition to be a regional hegemon. India is deepening its relations with the US and Southeast Asian states through its ‘Act East’ policy to counter China’s expansion. To address this challenge, India is engaging politically, economically, and militarily by expanding trade, building infrastructure, conducting naval exercises, and establishing linkages with other states in the region. This paper utilizes the Sea Power theory of Alfred Thayer Mahan and the balance of power theory to better understand maritime order and security in the IOR. The research methodology employs qualitative research, using primary data from interviews with academics, official documents and reports, and secondary data from books, journals, and reports.