Maritime Safety & Security- Indian Ocean Region

Context 

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is more than just a body of water, it’s the lifeblood of global trade, carrying nearly half of the world’s container traffic and two-thirds of its oil shipments. Stretching from the shores of Africa to the coasts of Australia, it’s a bustling highway connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe through critical choke points like the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and Malacca Strait. In this vibrant and strategic region, two powers India and China are engaged in a high-stakes game of maritime diplomacy. China’s “String of Pearls” and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) face off against India’s “Necklace of Diamonds,” Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), and the newly launched MAHASAGAR initiative. Other countries like the USA with Japan (QUAD) and Australia with the UK (AUKUS) are also involved in this region for their strategic economic interests. Now we will explore how these strategies shape the IOR and what they mean for the future.

China’s Grand Plan: Pearls, Roads and Debt Traps

China’s maritime strategy in the IOR is bold and far-reaching, centered on its “String of Pearls” concept, first, coined in a 2005 U.S. report. Picture a string of strategic outposts—ports and facilities—stretching from China’s coast to Port Sudan, securing its energy routes and expanding its influence. Key “pearls” include Gwadar in Pakistan,

Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Kyaukpyu in Myanmar, and Djibouti, where China established its first overseas military base in 2017. These are part of the Maritime Silk Road, a cornerstone of the BRI, a massive infrastructure project launched in 2013 that poured over $1 trillion into ports, roads, and energy projects across 147 countries, with estimates suggesting up to $8 trillion in total investment. The BRI is a crucial component for China's foreign policy in

economic expansion, accessibility to resources, diversification of trade routes and in increasing global influence.

But there’s a catch, and it’s a big one: the so-called “debt trap diplomacy.” Critics, especially in India and the West, argue that China entices cash-strapped nations with hefty loans for projects they can’t repay, then seizes control of strategic assets when they default. By this way China took Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka when Sri Lanka couldn’t pay its debts, China took a 99-year lease on the port in 2017, raising fears it could become a military hub. Similar concerns swirl around Gwadar and Kyaukpyu, which could potentially box India in. In 2024, China’s push to station surveillance vessels in Sri Lankan waters further stoked these worries. With joint naval exercises alongside Iran and Russia and talk of an Indian Ocean fleet,

China’s ambitions seem to go well beyond trade, aiming for strategic dominance.

India’s Response: Diamonds, Cooperation and Vision

India isn’t sitting idly by, it’s crafting a counter strategy that blends strategic partnerships, regional cooperation, and a vision of shared prosperity. The “Necklace of Diamonds” is

India’s answer to China’s pearls—a network of friendly ports and bases to secure its maritime interests. Think of Duqm in Oman, Chabahar in Iran, Assumption Island in Seychelles, and Sabang in Indonesia. Chabahar, for instance, gives India access to Afghanistan and Central

Asia without relying on Pakistan, while Duqm sits strategically between China’s Gwadar and Djibouti bases. India is also teaming up with the U.S., Japan, and Australia for naval exercises like Malabar, flexing its maritime muscle and building alliances.Then there’s the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), a 23-nation group founded in 1997 to promote trade, security, and sustainability. Notably, China and Pakistan aren’t members, giving India a platform to lead without direct competition from Beijing. IORA focuses on practical cooperation—think Blue Economy projects, disaster response, and maritime safety, aligning with India’s goal of being a trusted regional partner.

With the SAGAR initiative, India’s 2015 vision of “Security and Growth for All in the

Region.” It’s about building economic ties, boosting security, and ensuring open seas for all. India’s navy has been a regional hero, from rescuing cyclone victims in Mozambique to fighting pirates off Somalia’s coast since 2008. With a growing fleet of home-built ships,

India’s aiming for Blue Water Navy status, capable of projecting power far from its shores. In March 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled MAHASAGAR (Mutual and

Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region) during a trip to Mauritius, doubling down on SAGAR’s principles. This initiative focuses on sustainable development, climate resilience, and deeper security partnerships, tackling modern challenges like rising sea levels and maritime terrorism. It’s India’s way of saying, “We’re here for the long haul, and we’re here to help everyone.”

Role of Western Countries (U.S. ,UK ,France etc.)

The U.S. alongside India, Japan and Australia, forms the QUAD, a strategic alliance aimed at promoting a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific. The QUAD conducts joint military exercises, such as Malabar, in the IOR to counter China’s assertiveness, particularly at chokepoints like the Strait of Malacca. This directly supports India’s Necklace of Diamonds by enhancing its naval capabilities and regional influence.

The U.S. has deepened defense ties with India, including agreements like the Logistics

Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), which allows mutual access to military facilities. This strengthens India’s naval presence in strategic locations like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, near China’s “pearls” such as Myanmar’s Kyaukpyu port.

UK Role-The UK’s role is less prominent than the U.S. but still significant, particularly through its post-Brexit “Global Britain” strategy and alignment with Indo-Pacific security by Naval Presence and Cooperation. The UK has increased its naval presence in the Indo-Pacific through deployments like the HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier strike group, which conducted exercises with India, Japan and the U.S. in 2021 that aligns with India’s Necklace of Diamonds by reinforcing maritime security in the IOR.

Australia: As a QUAD member, Australia conducts joint naval exercises with India, the U.S., and Japan, enhancing India’s maritime capabilities in the IOR. Australia’s strategic location near the Lombok Strait, a key choke point in China’s String of Pearls, makes it a critical

partner in India’s Necklace of Diamonds. Australia also supports India’s access to ports like Sabang in Indonesia, near the Strait of Malacca.

France: France has a strategic partnership with India, including a reciprocal access agreement for naval bases across the Indian Ocean. France’s presence in the IOR, particularly in Reunion Island and Djibouti, complements India’s efforts to counter China’s military base in Djibouti. France’s support for India’s Chabahar port development further strengthens India’s regional influence.

Neutrality of Some Allies: The “Five Eyes” (including the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand) have avoided explicit support for India in Sino-Indian border tensions, prioritizing economic relations with China. This limits the effectiveness of Western backing for India’s strategy.

Risk of Escalation: Western involvement, especially through the QUAD, risks escalating tensions with China, potentially turning the IOR into a flashpoint. China’s dismissal of the String of Pearls as “malicious defamation” suggests it may view Western-backed Indian moves as provocative, increasing the likelihood of miscalculation.

Project MAUSAM: The Cultural Connection 

India’s Project MAUSAM, launched in 2014, inspired by the ancient monsoon trade routes that once linked IOR nations aims to revive those cultural and historical bonds. It’s a soft

power play, countering China’s Maritime Silk Road with a narrative of shared heritage through cultural exchanges, maritime archaeology, and educational programs to knit the region together. But despite its promise, MAUSAM has struggled to get off the ground, with little progress beyond ambitions for UNESCO World Heritage listings. A reboot with a clear plan, maybe more funding for joint research or cultural festivals could make it a powerful tool to boost India’s influence.

The Big Picture: Competition Meets Cooperation 

The IOR is a chessboard where economic, military, and cultural moves collide, China’s BRI and String of Pearls promise infrastructure and jobs but come with strings attached literally and figuratively, the risk of debt traps and strategic control looms large threatening the sovereignty of smaller nations. India’s approach, with its Necklace of Diamonds, IORA, SAGAR, and MAHASAGAR, is more about partnership than dominance. It’s about building capacity, sharing resources, and tackling shared threats like piracy, trafficking, and climate change. India’s disaster relief missions and anti-piracy patrols show it’s walking the talk.

But India has hurdles as China’s deep pockets are hard to match Beijing’s BRI dwarfs India’s financial firepower. The non-traditional threats like illegal fishing and rising sea levels demand resources India can’t always spare. To stay ahead, India needs to pour more into the Blue Economy, sustainable ocean industries like fishing and tourism and ramp up joint naval

exercises to build trust and capability among allies. Strengthening IORA’s role as a regional hub and giving Project MAUSAM a shot in the arm could amplify India’s soft power, making it a cultural leader as well as a strategic one. Partnerships with global players like the U.S., Japan, and France through groups like the QUAD are another ace in India’s hand.

These alliances provide military and economic backing, helping India counterbalance China’s influence without going head-to-head.

Conclusion

The Indian Ocean is a contested space, but it’s also a shared one. India’s maritime strategy rooted in cooperation, inclusivity, and regional leadership offers a compelling alternative to China’s assertive playbook. By investing in sustainable development, forging strong alliances and reviving cultural ties through initiatives like MAUSAM, India can secure its place as the

IOR’s trusted partner. It’s a delicate dance of competition and collaboration, but with strategic vision and a commitment to shared prosperity, India can help steer the region toward a stable, thriving future.

The involvement of Western Countries mainly US, Australia and France aims to counter China’s String of Pearls, which threatens maritime security and trade routes in the IOR. However, their support is driven by self-interest in containing China’s rise, and economic dependencies on China may limit their commitment. India must navigate this dynamic carefully, leveraging Western partnerships while addressing the economic and strategic disparities with China to effectively counter the String of Pearls.