{"id":60617,"date":"2025-12-04T19:12:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T13:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=60617"},"modified":"2025-12-06T16:20:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T10:50:32","slug":"india-committed-to-idea-of-open-and-rules-based-oceans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-12-2025\/india-committed-to-idea-of-open-and-rules-based-oceans","title":{"rendered":"India Committed to Idea of Open and Rules-based Oceans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Internal Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>President Droupadi Murmu said that India<strong> <\/strong>is committed to the idea of the oceans remaining <strong>\u201copen, stable and rules-based\u201d<\/strong> drawing attention to the <strong>strategic and critical importance<\/strong> of the <strong>Indian Ocean Region as a maritime space.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Indian Ocean Region is a <strong>conduit for global energy supplies and trade<\/strong>. Being positioned at its centre, India bears a special responsibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>By securing sea routes, protecting marine resources, preventing illegal activities, and supporting maritime research<\/strong>, the Navy strengthens the vision of safe, prosperous, and sustainable oceans,\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The President observed that <strong>modernisation<\/strong> is crucial for the combat readiness of the armed force.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Indian Ocean Region<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"bad1d4\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #bad1d4;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"386\" height=\"312\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-7.12.03-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-60625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-7.12.03-PM.png 386w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-7.12.03-PM-300x242.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Indian Ocean covers approximately<strong>one-fifth of the total ocean area of the world.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian Ocean is bounded by Iran, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh to the <strong>north<\/strong>; the Malay Peninsula, the Sunda Islands of Indonesia, and Australia to the <strong>east<\/strong>; the Southern Ocean to the <strong>south<\/strong>; and Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to the <strong>west<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) comprises 36 countries and has a population of approximately 2.5 billion, accounting for 35% of the global population and 40% of the world\u2019s coastline.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Geostrategic Importance:<\/strong> The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean, linking the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is home to <strong>crucial maritime chokepoints <\/strong>\u2014 Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, Malacca Strait, Lombok Strait \u2014 which together handle a bulk of global energy and trade flows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The IOR acts as a <strong>bridge between the East and the West,<\/strong> making it a central theatre for power competition among India, China, the U.S., and other major players.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Significance: <\/strong>The region carries nearly 50% of global container traffic and 80% of seaborne oil trade.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a hub of blue economy activities: shipping, fisheries, seabed mining, and tourism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Energy Security: <\/strong>The IOR is the lifeline of global energy flows: oil and gas from West Asia transit to East Asia via its sea lanes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Countries like India, China, Japan, and South Korea are energy-import dependent, making stability of the IOR vital.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blue Economy and Resource Potential: <\/strong>Beyond energy and trade, the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/11-09-2025\/indian-ocean-region\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/11-09-2025\/indian-ocean-region\"> Indian Ocean Region<\/a> represents an untapped frontier for sustainable ocean-based economic development.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Indian Ocean supports approximately 15% of the world&#8217;s total fish catch, with the fishing industry providing critical employment and nutrition for millions of people across the region.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why has the focus on IOR been increased recently?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rise of New Economies: <\/strong>India and China\u2019s emergence has revived trade networks in IOR and the region is becoming a new economic growth centre.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maritime Security Threats: <\/strong>Piracy (especially near Somalia) threatened global shipping lanes and led to increased efforts to secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indo-Pacific Construct:<\/strong> 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.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This geographical reimagination enhances IOR\u2019s visibility in global diplomacy and security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Implications for Global Order: <\/strong>Control over the IOR can shape:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Trade flows (especially oil &amp; gas),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic maritime chokepoints (like the Strait of Hormuz, Malacca, Bab el-Mandeb),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Military posturing and base logistics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in IOR<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Expansion of Chinese Naval Power in IOR: <\/strong>Increased naval vessel deployments in the region in terms of both number and duration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maritime Domain Awareness Activities: <\/strong>Deployment of Chinese research and survey vessels to gather sensitive oceanographic and marine data under the guise of scientific research.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Piracy hotspots<\/strong> near the Horn of Africa and in the Malacca Strait threaten shipping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Terrorism, arms smuggling, and trafficking networks<\/strong> exploit porous maritime borders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic Port Development Near India: <\/strong>China is actively involved in developing ports and infrastructure in littoral states of the IOR, including those close to India\u2019s maritime boundaries.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The objective aligns with China\u2019s long-term goal of becoming a maritime power.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Strategic Responses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Diplomatic and Security Leadership: <\/strong>India positions itself as first responder in disasters.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India is a preferred security partner in HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), 2019: <\/strong>India-led initiative announced at the East Asia Summit.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Focus Areas:<\/strong> maritime security, ecology, resource sharing, disaster management, connectivity, and trade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Launch of MAHASAGAR <\/strong>(Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region) reflects India\u2019s strategic rebranding in the IOR.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Naval Modernisation and Indigenous Development: <\/strong>India is modernising naval capabilities:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Commissioning indigenous warships (e.g., INS Vikrant, INS Visakhapatnam).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boosting maritime domain awareness and power projection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This strengthens India\u2019s force posture and maritime deterrence in the IOR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s Response and Regional Diplomacy:&nbsp; <\/strong>India is working with regional partners to raise awareness about the long-term implications of Chinese infrastructure projects.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Emphasize the risks to internal and regional security from China&#8217;s military use of these assets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multilateral Engagements:&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): <\/strong>India is a founding member (1997). Focus areas: maritime security, disaster management, blue economy, trade &amp; investment facilitation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): <\/strong>Initiated by the Indian Navy in 2008. Activities include: Information exchange, Joint exercises, HADR cooperation, Anti-piracy coordination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>QUAD (India\u2013US\u2013Japan\u2013Australia): <\/strong>Central focus on maritime security, freedom of navigation, and a rules-based Indo-Pacific.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Colombo Security Conclave (CSC):<\/strong> India, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are members. <strong>Focus:<\/strong> Maritime security, Counter-narcotics, Cyber security, HADR, Illegal fishing control, and strengthening Indian Ocean island states&#8217; capacities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India on Militarisation of the IOR: <\/strong>India asserts that Militarisation of the Indian Ocean Region is not desirable and will adversely impact security in the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This reflects India\u2019s stance against military usage of Chinese-funded infrastructure in the IOR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For India, the IOR is not merely a neighbourhood but a strategic imperative central to its national security, economic growth, and global leadership ambitions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Initiatives such as Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific Vision, and Blue Economy strategy reinforce India\u2019s centrality in the IOR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/kerala\/india-committed-to-the-idea-of-oceans-remaining-open-stable-and-rules-based-president-droupadi-murmu\/article70354507.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">President Droupadi Murmu said that India is committed to the idea of the oceans remaining \u201copen, stable and rules-based\u201d drawing attention to the strategic and critical importance of the Indian Ocean Region as a maritime space.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>About<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The Indian Ocean Region is a conduit for global energy supplies and trade. Being positioned at its centre, India bears a special responsibility.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">By securing sea routes, protecting marine resources, preventing illegal activities, and supporting maritime research, the Navy strengthens the vision of safe, prosperous, and sustainable oceans,\u201d.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The President observed that modernisation is crucial for the combat readiness of the armed force.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-12-2025\/india-committed-to-idea-of-open-and-rules-based-oceans\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60617"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60617\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60688,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60617\/revisions\/60688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}