Why in the News

India’s maritime policy has gained fresh focus after the release of The Routledge Handbook of Maritime India, which traces India’s maritime past and its current strategic shift. The book highlights India’s move from land-focused thinking to active maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific. This contrasts with earlier decades when India underused its maritime advantage. The shift is wide-ranging, covering naval expansion, island outreach, sea lane security, and responses to China’s maritime rise.

How Has Geography Shaped India’s Maritime Outlook?

1. Peninsular Advantage: India’s peninsular geography places it astride major sea lanes connecting East Africa, West Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia.
2. Indian Ocean Centrality: The Indian Ocean has historically functioned as a conduit for trade, migration, and civilizational exchange.
3. Strategic Exposure: Maritime geography enables both connectivity and vulnerability, making sea control essential for national security.

What Does History Reveal About India’s Maritime Consciousness?

1. Ancient Maritime Tradition: Pre-colonial India sustained extensive maritime trade networks across the Indian Ocean.
2. Colonial Disruption: European dominance transformed the Indian Ocean into an arena of imperial competition, marginalising indigenous naval power.
3. Post-Independence Shift: Early strategic thinking prioritised land borders despite maritime trade dependence.
4. Nehruvian Insight: Historical analysis recognised that control of the Indian Ocean shapes India’s strategic autonomy.

How Has India’s Maritime Strategy Evolved Institutionally

1. Doctrine Expansion: Maritime strategy now integrates trade security, naval diplomacy, and regional stability.
2. Island Engagement: Strengthened ties with Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Seychelles enhance forward presence.
3. Indo-Pacific Framing: Adoption of the Indo-Pacific concept aligns maritime policy with economic and strategic corridors.
4. Pakistan Exception: Maritime cooperation progressed with most neighbours except Pakistan due to persistent security mistrust.

What Is India’s Approach to Power Projection at Sea?

1. Naval Transformation: India emerged as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean during the first decade of the 21st century.
2. Operational Reach: Increased naval deployments across the Arabian Sea and Eastern Indian Ocean.
3. Deterrence Logic: Maritime power strengthens strategic autonomy without territorial escalation.
4. Comparative Advantage: India’s approach contrasts with coercive maritime strategies elsewhere.

How Does India Respond to China’s Maritime Assertiveness?

1. Strategic Competition: China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) alters regional maritime governance.
2. Neighbourhood Impact: Countries joining BRI weaken collective maritime coordination mechanisms.
3. Risk Assessment: Avoids framing maritime engagement as a zero-sum rivalry.
4. Consultative Mechanisms: Emphasises cooperative security frameworks over confrontation.

What Are the Emerging Domains of India’s Maritime Policy?

1. Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA): Strengthens surveillance and early warning capabilities.
2. Technological Development: Maritime innovation supports security and economic resilience.
3. Blue Economy Strategy: Integrates sustainable resource use with maritime growth.
4. Climate Security: Coastal vulnerability and ocean health influence strategic planning.

Conclusion

India’s maritime policy reflects a strategic rebalancing aligned with geography and global realities. The transition from continental bias to maritime integration enhances India’s role as a stabilising power in the Indian Ocean. Sustained institutional coordination, regional trust-building, and technological investment will determine the effectiveness of this maritime turn.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2022] What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security.

Linkage: This question directly aligns with GS Paper III (Internal Security), where UPSC has repeatedly tested maritime security and coastal management. The article provides analytical depth on India’s shift from continental focus to integrated maritime security and power projection, making it highly exam-relevant

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