Indian Ocean Geopolitics

Abstract

The relevance of the IOR is fourfold, First historical relevance. The Indian Ocean has been a zone of human interaction for several millennia, boasting a 1,500 years history of active high seas trade -much before the arrival of Europeans in 1498. Adequate proofs exist to establish that the seafaring and maritime trade across these waters supplemented with facts of human migration, the spread of religion, visit of scholars, and many more since as early as the pre-historic era. Second, geographical relevance, it is said that in geopolitics, geography plays a vital role in influencing peace and security in the region. The Indian Ocean is the third largest Ocean having an area of 68.56 million sq km and covers about 20% of the earth's surface. It is nearly 10,000 km wide at the southern tips of Africa and Australia and extends nearly 13,500 km from the Persian Gulf to Antarctica. It is physically the most complex, walled ocean bounded on three sides by land. The Indian Ocean is not 'open-ended' like the Pacific or Atlantic. IOR stretches from the Suez Canal to the Strait of Malacca with its entry and exit constrained by choke points. Third, economic relevance, the IOR has 40 per cent of the world's energy reserves, 65 per cent of strategic raw material reserves and the largest producers of rubber, tea, spices and jute. It is also a region of extreme economic diversity and its natural resources add to its strategic significance. More than 65% of the world’s Uranium and oil reserves exist on the ocean bed. Last, the Strategic Relevance, Strategically, Indian Ocean is the most important water body of the world where global struggles will play out in the 21st century. The Indian Ocean is the focal point of all the major shipping routes of the world. Major sea routes passing through IOR connecting the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The IOR is also the lifeline of international trade and economy, with half of the global cargo trade, two-third of the energy supplies and one-third of the bulk cargo trade passing through the Indian Ocean. Unlike the Pacific and Atlantic, 80% of the trade pattern is 'extra-regional'. About one Lakh ships pass through these waters in a year. According to an estimate, Indian Ocean shipping comprises the highest tonnage of goods in the world. Therefore, IOR needs effective maritime governance and maritime domain awareness by all littoral states. It needs soft power geopolitics practices together with regional integration – a strategic alliance. These can be achieved bridging through dialogues. Prospective military Alliances, Military Training Assistance, Military Diplomatic Exchanges and Defence industry and Technological Transfer are the realistic and appropriate defence integration that can be achieved for the unity of effort for a joint security mechanism. Integrated intelligence Sharing and Integrated Space and Cyber Security Organisations are the modern measures that can support the joint security strategies in the region. This paves the way to implement common cause missions for maintaining peace and order in the IOR.