The 'great base race' in the Indian Ocean littoral: Conflict prevention or stimulation?

Abstract

Military strongholds often have played a major role in the shaping of the destiny of the Indian Ocean, its littoral, and much of world history. This increasingly is true today, as Indian Ocean states--India, Pakistan, Burma, and Malaysia among others--have been executing military infrastructure projects of various dimensions. Many of these new facilities are intended for power projection. A distinct departure from the pattern of past decades, this dynamism reflects the new wealth and confidence of some of these states, the increased importance of connectivity (and the porous nature of maritime borders) in this era of globalization, the presence in the Indian Ocean of vital natural resources (especially oil and gas), and the 'rise' of India. Although new naval bases being established in the area will deepen the identity and coherence of the Indian Ocean as a region, this new 'great base race' will make war, at least among the ocean's littoral states, a more practicable option than previously. Also, over time, these new facilities will make it more difficult for Western powers, including the United States, to block or moderate the power of Asian states.