Throughout history, the Indian Ocean has been central to global trade, connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. This vast expanse, the world’s third-largest ocean, has become a hub for economic growth, conflict, and regional power competition. India’s increasing involvement in the Indo-Pacific reflects the region’s growing significance in global affairs. Geopolitical shifts, characterized by changing power dynamics and emerging security challenges, have led India to adopt a multilateral approach to regional security.
India’s participation in multilateral security mechanisms, such as the Quad (comprising India, the USA, Japan, and Australia), highlights its strategic priorities and evolving foreign policy. This collaboration addresses shared security concerns like maritime security and counterterrorism. For Sri Lanka, India’s influence is crucial in combating non-traditional threats such as organized crime, piracy, and smuggling.
India’s broader engagement with regional organizations like ASEAN, IORA, and SCO demonstrates its commitment to building a comprehensive security architecture. Influential naval strategist Alfred Mahan once noted that maritime supremacy in the Indian Ocean would make a nation a prominent player on the global stage. This underscores the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean in global geopolitics.
India’s regional security perspective is shaped by its relations with China and the US. The growing presence of China in the Indian Ocean poses a significant concern for India. Meanwhile, India’s relations with Japan, the US, and other regional countries are increasingly influential in shaping its overall security outlook. India’s strategic location along the Indian Ocean, with an extensive coastline and a vast Exclusive Economic Zone, makes it a key player in the region’s geopolitics.
India has been enhancing its naval assets and maritime surveillance capabilities to counter growing threats in the Indian Ocean Region. This includes increasing the Navy’s budget for new platforms and equipment and bolstering coastal surveillance with new radar stations and a National Maritime Domain Awareness project. Recent naval exercises demonstrate India’s enhanced capabilities, crucial for maintaining regional security.
For Sri Lanka, it is essential to recognize India’s growing strategic influence and strengthen its own naval capabilities. Diplomatic and cooperative efforts with India are vital for securing maritime interests and maintaining regional stability. As India emerges as a dependable security and strategic partner, Sri Lanka must align with India to sustain its strategic position in the Indian Ocean while preserving its dignity and territorial integrity.