The maritime domain is central to India’s history, economy, and security. Geographically, India is positioned between the Himalayas in the north and the Indian Ocean in the south, giving it access to crucial sea routes and natural resources.

Historically, Indian sailors and empires, such as the Cholas and the Marathas, leveraged maritime capabilities for trade, cultural exchange, and territorial influence. Control over the Indian Ocean allows India to safeguard sea lines of communication (SLOCs) that are critical for energy imports and international trade. As Jawaharlal Nehru observed, dominance over the Indian Ocean directly impacts India's independence and economic well-being.

In contemporary times, the maritime domain enables India to project power, strengthen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and enhance security against piracy, terrorism, and regional adversarial activities.

India prioritizes the Indo-Pacific due to its economic, strategic, and demographic importance. The region hosts the majority of the world’s population, major trade routes, and critical sea lanes carrying energy and commodities.

Strategically, India seeks to balance the influence of rising powers, particularly China, and to foster partnerships with like-minded countries such as Japan, Australia, and France. This focus is reflected in initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Vision and collaborative exercises like MALABAR naval drills.

Economic considerations include ensuring uninterrupted maritime trade, promoting the Blue Economy, and leveraging regional connectivity for ports, shipping, and resource extraction. By emphasizing the Indo-Pacific, India aims to ensure a stable and rules-based maritime order that aligns with its national and regional interests.

India has progressively enhanced its maritime power projection through several mechanisms:

• Naval modernization: The Indian Navy has transitioned from an observer to a net security provider, exemplified by anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea and participation in international maritime exercises.
• Strategic partnerships: India has signed maritime boundary agreements with neighbors and developed close defense and security cooperation with countries like Japan, Australia, and France.
• Blue Economy initiatives: India invests in port infrastructure, maritime technology, and coastal resilience, enhancing its ability to control critical maritime infrastructure.

India faces multiple challenges in maritime governance, including:

• Geopolitical competition: Rivalries, particularly with China, pose risks of zero-sum scenarios in the Indian Ocean, as seen in port infrastructure projects and naval presence expansion.
• Institutional and regional constraints: Issues such as corruption, lack of enlightened leadership, and political instability in neighboring countries like Sri Lanka have allowed China’s Belt and Road Initiative to gain a foothold.
• Complexity of multilateral coordination: Ensuring cooperation among regional players such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Maldives requires sustained diplomacy, maritime agreements, and joint mechanisms to prevent clashes of interest.

India’s maritime strategy aims to balance power projection with regional collaboration. On one hand, the Indian Navy and maritime infrastructure investments enhance India’s ability to secure sea lines, counter piracy, and assert strategic influence.

On the other hand, India actively pursues cooperation with regional powers through the Indo-Pacific framework, joint exercises, and bilateral agreements. For example, collaboration with Australia and Japan demonstrates India’s commitment to multilateral stability rather than unilateral dominance.

Challenges remain, including potential friction with China, differing regional priorities, and domestic resource constraints. A nuanced approach, combining hedging against adversarial actors while fostering inclusive maritime governance, is critical for India’s long-term maritime security and economic interests.

Historically, Indian empires and traders exercised maritime influence through:

• The Cholas: Often called “The Nautical Tigers,” they reached Southeast Asia, promoting trade, culture, and strategic presence.
• Maratha Navy: Controlled regional waters along the western coast of India, challenging colonial powers.

• Anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea that safeguarded global shipping lanes.
• Maritime boundary agreements with neighbors such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, which enhance regional stability.
• Participation in multilateral exercises like MALABAR and strategic dialogues in the Indo-Pacific region.

If Chinese naval activity intensifies, India must adopt a multi-pronged strategy:

• Strengthening deterrence: Enhancing naval capabilities, modernizing surveillance and undersea warfare systems, and maintaining readiness to secure sea lines of communication.
• Diplomatic engagement: Establishing joint consultative mechanisms with regional countries, such as Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Myanmar, to manage shared maritime interests and prevent conflicts.
• Regional partnerships: Leveraging cooperation with like-minded nations like Japan, Australia, and France in maritime security and joint exercises to create a collective security framework.