EAM Addressed the 9th Indian Ocean Conference

Syllabus: GS3/Maritime Security

Context

• The External Affairs Minister addressed the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, which was centered on the theme “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.”

EAM Highlighted Five Key Priorities for Indian Ocean Nations:

• Need for Stability: The Indian Ocean is not merely a geographic space but a living ecosystem that sustains economies, livelihoods, connectivity, resources and shared cultural heritage.
  • He warned that any disruption to this interconnected system has far-reaching consequences, underscoring the need for stability and careful stewardship.
• Historical Ties: Countries of the region must continue efforts to overcome historical barriers and deepen regional cooperation and stress the importance of stronger economic linkages, improved connectivity and the revival of traditional ties.
• Changing Global Order:EAM highlighted the changing nature of the global order, noting that the world has become more competitive, inward-looking and fractured, prompting countries to seek more reliable partnerships and greater resilience.
• Concern over Choke Points: He pointed to the growing concern over “choke points,” both physical and conceptual.
  • Overcoming the controlled mindset is essential for the well-being of the international economy,” he added.
• Deeper Cooperation: EAM called for deeper cooperation among Indian Ocean nations, describing the region as a “Global South ocean” facing shared challenges.

The Indian Ocean Conference

• It was started in 2016 by India Foundation in association with think tanks and institutions from the region, with participation from 30 countries. 
• In the last 8 years, the Conference has emerged as the flagship forum for countries to discuss and deliberate on issues of mutual interest. 
• Over the years, the Conference has been addressed by over a 100 Ministers from 55 countries. 
• The Conference provides a platform to deliberate upon the prospects of regional coopera;on for Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). 

Significance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

• Geostrategic Importance: The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean, linking the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
  • It is home to crucial maritime chokepoints i.e Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, Malacca Strait, Lombok Strait which together handle a bulk of global energy and trade flows.
  • The IOR acts as a bridge between the East and the West, making it a central theatre for power competition among India, China, the U.S., and other major players.
• Economic Significance: The region carries nearly 50% of global container traffic and 80% of seaborne oil trade.
  • It is a hub of blue economy activities: shipping, fisheries, seabed mining, and tourism.
• Energy Security: The IOR is the lifeline of global energy flows: oil and gas from West Asia transit to East Asia via its sea lanes.
  • Countries like India, China, Japan, and South Korea are energy-import dependent, making stability of the IOR vital.
• Blue Economy Potential: The IOR offers opportunities in fisheries, seabed minerals, renewable energy, and tourism—requiring secure seas for sustainable exploitation.

Need to Strengthen Maritime Security in IOR

• Indo-Pacific Construct: The Indo-Pacific combines the Indian and Pacific Oceans into one strategic theatre and highlights the centrality of IOR in shaping new global maritime order.
• Implications for Global Order: Control over the IOR can shape:
  • Trade flows (especially oil & gas),
  • Strategic maritime chokepoints (like the Strait of Hormuz, Malacca, Bab el-Mandeb),
  • Military posturing and base logistics.
• Fragmented maritime governance: Many littoral states lack capacity for surveillance, law enforcement, and HADR (humanitarian & disaster response). 
• Diverse asymmetric threats: Illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, trafficking, piracy resurgence and attacks on commercial shipping complicate security.
• Expansion of Chinese Naval Power in IOR: Increased naval vessel deployments in the region in terms of both number and duration.
  • Deployment of Chinese research and survey vessels to gather sensitive oceanographic and marine data under the guise of scientific research.

Government Initiatives

• Sagarmala Programme: Focuses on leveraging India’s coastline and of navigable waterways.
  • Supports port infrastructure, coastal development, and connectivity.
  • Financial aid for projects like coastal berths, rail/road connectivity, fish harbours, cruise terminals.
• Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030): Aiming for India to become a top 10 shipbuilding nation by 2030 and create a world-class, efficient, and sustainable maritime ecosystem.
• Sagarmanthan Dialogue: An annual maritime strategic dialogue to position India as a global center for maritime conversations.
• Maritime Development Fund: ₹25,000 crore fund for long-term financing to modernize ports and shipping infrastructure, encouraging private investment.
• Launch of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region) reflects India’s strategic rebranding in the IOR.
• Naval Modernisation and Indigenous Development: India is modernising naval capabilities:
  • Commissioning indigenous warships (e.g., INS Vikrant, INS Visakhapatnam).
  • Boosting maritime domain awareness and power projection.
  • This strengthens India’s force posture and maritime deterrence in the IOR.
• India’s Response and Regional Diplomacy:  India is working with regional partners to raise awareness about the long-term implications of Chinese infrastructure projects.
  • Emphasize the risks to internal and regional security from China’s military use of these assets.

Conclusion

• India’s maritime security initiatives reflect a blend of military capability, infrastructure readiness, regional partnerships, and legal-institutional frameworks. 
• Initiatives such as Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific Vision, and Blue Economy strategy reinforce India’s centrality in the IOR.

Source: MEA