India’s Strategic Imperatives in the Western Indian Ocean” Balancing Power, Security, and Influence

Introduction

The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) has become a critical theatre for India’s strategic interests due to its significance in global trade, energy security, and maritime dominance. This region, stretching from the Horn of Africa to the Persian Gulf and encompassing the Arabian Sea, is fraught with political instability, terrorism, piracy, and great-power rivalries, making it an “Arc of Instability.” As a rising power, India has sought to navigate these complexities through a multifaceted strategy that includes diplomatic engagement, military modernisation, and economic cooperation. India’s approach balances strategic autonomy with pragmatic partnerships, ensuring its long-term influence in the region without being drawn into great-power conflicts.

Geopolitical Significance of the Western Indian Ocean

The Western Indian Ocean plays a pivotal role in India’s economic and security framework. Over 70% of India’s trade by value and 80% of its oil imports transit through this region, making it indispensable for its economic stability. Key maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, and the Mozambique Channel, serve as vital arteries for global energy flows. Disruptions in these lanes pose a direct threat to India’s energy security and economic growth.

The region’s instability, exacerbated by protracted conflicts in Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan, poses significant risks to India’s maritime trade and the safety of its diaspora. The involvement of external actors, including China, the United States, and Gulf nations, has transformed the Western Indian Ocean into a contested space where India must carefully balance its interests.

China’s strategic expansion under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has intensified India’s concerns over encirclement. China’s investments in Gwadar (Pakistan), Djibouti, and Hambantota (Sri Lanka) provide it with strategic leverage in the Indian Ocean. Simultaneously, the United States, France, and Gulf monarchies maintain military bases, shaping the geopolitical landscape. For India, the challenge lies in asserting its influence without aligning too closely with any single power.

India’s Maritime Security Strategy

India has progressively strengthened its naval presence in the WIO, recognising maritime security as a linchpin of its regional strategy. The Indian Navy has been actively engaged in anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast since 2008, working alongside global partners to secure commercial shipping routes.

A key element of India’s maritime security doctrine is Mission-Based Deployments, ensuring the presence of warships in critical areas such as the Gulf of Oman and the Mozambique Channel. India’s naval modernisation drive, which includes aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, and surveillance aircraft, underscores its intent to establish maritime dominance.

India has also fostered multilateral security cooperation through initiatives such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and joint exercises like MALABAR (with the US and Japan) and VARUNA (with France). These engagements enhance India’s operational capabilities while reinforcing its partnerships with like-minded democracies.

At the same time, India has prioritised bilateral defence agreements with key regional players. Access agreements with Oman, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar provide India with logistical hubs, allowing for rapid response operations. Notably, the development of Agalega Island in Mauritius serves as a crucial forward-operating base for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

China’s Expanding Footprint and India’s Response

China’s strategic manoeuvres in the Western Indian Ocean present one of the most significant challenges to India’s regional influence. Through the “String of Pearls” strategy, China has established a network of ports and military facilities stretching from Southeast Asia to Africa, raising concerns about a potential encirclement of India.

Beijing’s investments in dual-use infrastructure in Djibouti, Gwadar, and Hambantota enhance its naval power projection capabilities, allowing the Chinese military to sustain long-term operations in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, China’s growing military engagements with African and Gulf states signal its intention to establish a dominant presence in the WIO.

In response, India has pursued a counterbalancing strategy through enhanced military cooperation with France, the United States, and Australia. India’s deepening partnership with France, particularly in joint maritime surveillance missions in the southwest Indian Ocean, reflects a broader effort to check China’s influence.

At the same time, India has strengthened its engagement with the Quad (comprising the US, Japan, and Australia), which, while primarily focused on the Indo-Pacific, reinforces India’s strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean.

Energy Security and Economic Diplomacy

India’s economic ties with the WIO are deeply intertwined with its energy security. The Gulf region accounts for nearly 60% of India’s crude oil imports, making the stability of maritime trade routes in the WIO a matter of national security. Political volatility in Iran, Yemen, and the broader Middle East directly impacts India’s energy supply chains.

To mitigate risks, India has pursued a strategy of economic diversification and infrastructure development. Its investment in Chabahar Port (Iran) is a crucial component of this approach, providing India with a direct trade link to Afghanistan and Central Asia while countering China’s influence in Gwadar.

Beyond energy security, India has expanded trade and investment in Africa, particularly in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique. The Indian government aims to increase its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa to $150 billion by 2030, strengthening economic linkages that support long-term strategic influence.

Furthermore, India has leveraged soft power diplomacy, drawing upon historical ties and cultural linkages to strengthen its presence in the region. The Indian diaspora in the Gulf and East Africa, which remits over $30 billion annually, plays a crucial role in reinforcing people-to-people connections.

Diplomatic Balancing Amidst Regional Rivalries

Navigating the complex geopolitics of the WIO requires India to maintain a delicate diplomatic balance among competing regional and global powers. Its partnerships with Saudi Arabia and the UAE have deepened in recent years, driven by economic cooperation and security collaborations. Simultaneously, India has maintained engagement with Iran, recognising its role as a critical partner despite geopolitical tensions and US sanctions.

India’s relations with African nations have also been instrumental in expanding its strategic reach. The India-Africa Forum Summit and bilateral economic initiatives have reinforced India’s role as a development partner, distinguishing its approach from China’s debt-driven investments.

However, India’s strategic autonomy faces persistent challenges, particularly in managing great-power competition between the US and China. While India has signed key defence agreements with the US, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), it remains cautious about aligning too closely with Washington. This calibrated approach ensures that India’s regional engagements serve its national interests without compromising its independent foreign policy.

Conclusion

India’s strategic balancing in the Western Indian Ocean is a multifaceted endeavour that combines military engagement, economic diplomacy, and soft power projection. Faced with the dual challenges of regional instability and great-power competition, India has adopted a pragmatic and adaptive approach that safeguards its national interests while promoting regional stability.

As geopolitical dynamics evolve, India must continue refining its strategy to address emerging challenges, particularly China’s expanding footprint and the unpredictability of regional conflicts. Strengthening multilateral frameworks, investing in resilient economic partnerships, and enhancing maritime security cooperation will be crucial in maintaining India’s strategic leverage.

Ultimately, India’s ability to navigate the Arc of Instability will determine not only its regional influence but also its broader role in the global order. By sustaining its economic growth, deepening partnerships, and reinforcing its maritime capabilities, India can position itself as a responsible stakeholder and a stabilising force in the Western Indian Ocean.