Maritime dimension of Modi’s foreign policy: Indo-Gulf maritime cooperation and its implications for Pakistan

Abstract

Owing to its geostrategic significance, the Indian Ocean is central to global maritime competition. Aimed at establishing its dominance over the Indian Ocean, India is an important player in this global power struggle. The current paper focuses on a crucial sub-region of the Indian Ocean, i.e., the Persian Gulf. Indian maritime security strategy (2015) mentioned the region as central to its interests. The study aims to uncover the maritime dimension of PM Modi’s foreign policy, the strategic significance of the Persian Gulf region for India, and the enhanced maritime Indo-Gulf interaction since Modi took office in 2014. A significant focus of the research is to analyse the possible implications of enriched Indo-Gulf maritime cooperation for Pakistan's foreign and defence policies. For probing the issue, a qualitative research method has been utilised. Primary sources included official documents and reports by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence of the Indian government. Books, newspapers, and research articles were consulted as secondary data. The Paper concludes that the gradual increase in the maritime interaction between India and Gulf states is seriously challenging Pakistan’s historical standing in the area. Pakistan needs to pursue a proactive strategy for securing its interests.