19 March 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. The Ocean Front

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Ideas Page – Page No. – 11)

K M Panikkar’s Vision of the Indian Ocean

• K M Panikkar, a prominent Indian diplomat, historian, and strategic thinker, highlighted the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean to India in his 1945 essay.
• He asserted that while the Indian Ocean may be one of many important maritime regions for other countries, for India, it is a vital sea.
• Panikkar’s emphasis on the creation of an Indian Ocean identity, however, has largely been overlooked by most sections of Indian society and governance, except for the Indian Navy.
• His insights underline the importance of the Indian Ocean as a central element of India’s strategic and geopolitical interests, yet this perspective has not been effectively integrated into India’s broader foreign and security policy.

Lack of Security Architecture and Regional Institutions in the IOR

• Unlike other strategic regions of the world, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has lacked effective forums and institutions to foster dialogue and coordinate a collective response to security and developmental challenges.
• The absence of a comprehensive security architecture stems from the region’s diversity and the self-interest of individual nations, which have impeded the formation of functional regional institutions.
• While various attempts have been made to create cooperative frameworks—such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)—they have largely failed to gain momentum due to lack of political will and strategic coherence.
• The only exception has been the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), which has seen some success.
• However, the rise of the US-led “Indo-Pacific” framework over the past decade has further diverted focus away from the Indian Ocean identity.

The Rise of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) and SAGAR Strategy

• Against this backdrop, the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC), initiated in 2016 by the Ministry of External Affairs and the India Foundation, has emerged as a significant platform for dialogue and cooperation in the IOR.
• The conference aligns with India’s “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) initiative, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, which seeks to establish India as a key player in ensuring maritime security and economic prosperity in the region.
• At the recent eighth edition of the IOC in Muscat, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the challenges facing the IOR, including the Middle East conflict, Houthi threats to international shipping, and South China Sea tensions caused by unilateral actions (implicitly referencing China).
• Jaishankar underscored India’s role as a stabilizing force in the region, citing ten examples of India’s proactive maritime contributions, including disaster relief, security cooperation, and economic partnerships.

Maritime Diplomacy and the Role of the Indian Navy

• Jaishankar’s emphasis on maritime diplomacy reflects the Indian Navy’s strategic role in supporting foreign policy objectives.
• The Indian Navy’s 2007 Maritime Strategy clearly stated that “the main business of major navies in the 21st century is to use warships to support foreign policy.”
• Maritime diplomacy offers a flexible tool for both soft and hard power projection, enabling India to engage with regional partners through humanitarian aid, joint exercises, and security cooperation while also deterring adversaries when needed.
• The Navy’s swift response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami demonstrated India’s ability to project power and provide humanitarian assistance.
• Similarly, the Navy has conducted successful evacuation and disaster relief missions in conflict zones and disaster-stricken regions, reinforcing its image as a “first responder” and “preferred security partner.”

Challenges in Integrating Military Power into Foreign Policy

• India’s strategic community has long debated the underutilization of military power in advancing foreign policy objectives.
• Critics argue that India’s global aspirations cannot be realized solely through soft power elements like “yoga and Bollywood.”
• A more assertive approach involving military capabilities, especially naval power, is seen as necessary for securing India’s strategic interests and enhancing its geopolitical standing.
• However, bureaucratic inertia and lack of coordination between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have hindered the timely and effective deployment of military assets for strategic purposes.
• Developing a fully funded program for security and humanitarian assistance, including heavy-lift amphibious capabilities and hospital ships, would enhance India’s ability to respond to regional crises and strengthen its maritime influence.

Strengthening Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)

• An essential component of India’s maritime strategy is the development of robust Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities.
• Real-time monitoring and information sharing with IOR nations such as Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, and Sri Lanka enable India to safeguard maritime traffic and protect exclusive economic zones (EEZs) from poachers and smugglers.
• The Indian Navy’s aerial and ship patrols have reinforced India’s role as a security guarantor in the region. MDA also facilitates the Indian Navy’s ability to coordinate with regional partners, anticipate threats, and respond swiftly to emerging challenges.

Conclusion

• Maritime diplomacy will play an increasingly vital role in India’s strategic posture in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
• Beyond soft power and humanitarian outreach, maritime diplomacy provides India with a strategic tool to influence events, prevent conflict, and project power.
• However, realizing the full potential of maritime diplomacy requires greater synergy between the Navy, diplomatic corps, and political leadership.
• A comprehensive national security strategy that integrates maritime capabilities with foreign policy objectives would enhance India’s standing as a major maritime power.
• For this to succeed, India must adopt a “whole of government” approach, improving coordination between the MoD and MEA while addressing logistical and funding gaps in naval capabilities.

Check this out 18 March 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis