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Malacca’s Maritime Marvel: From Medieval to the Modern Age

Writer's picture: THE GEOSTRATATHE GEOSTRATA

Strait of Malacca, formally known as Melaka, is a waterway linking the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea in the Pacific Ocean. It is a geostrategic location, and for centuries, has served as a bridge, connecting maritime trade routes, knowledge centres, and cultural exchange. About 40% of global trade, and 80% of China’s oil imports passes through this critical shipping lane.


Illustration by The Geostrata
Illustration by The Geostrata

American naval strategist – Alfred Thayer Mahan, in his book, “The Influence of Sea Power upon History” emphasises on the importance of sea control through naval dominance, and its essentiality for national power and global influence. A classical example to comprehend the significance of sea control is the chokepoint of Malacca.


For centuries, it has influenced a tussle amongst the powers in its rim, most prominently between the Chola Empire, Sri Vijaya Empire, etc, in the medieval period. This article aims to comprehend the vitality of the Strait of Malacca, its medieval and contemporary power contestation. This crucial chokepoint has influenced international trade, regional economy and politics, and cultural aspects in the region.


STRAIT OF MALACCA: THE GATEWAY OF THE INDO PACIFIC


The contemporary world is an interconnected one, therefore, supply chains are the lifeline of the global economy. The Strait of Malacca is a gateway between two enormous oceans: the Indian and the Pacific. The Indo-Pacific region is a theatre of influence, and big powers are navigating towards creating their prominent presence in the region. From regional powers like Indonesia, Malaysia, India, China to the US, Japan, etc.


Primarily, in this case, the economic value of this zone has significance based on its geostrategic location. Around 98,000 ships cross this chokepoint, and 40% of global trade pass-by the waters of Malacca. Additionally, economies of large-scale and manufacturing hubs like Singapore, Indonesia, China, and several ASEAN nations are home to this region. Many valuable items like crude oil and petroleum are transported to the Pacific through Malacca.


What gives it weight is its geostrategic location, which creates security and strategic vulnerability, such as in the case of China. The ‘Malacca Dilemma’ is China’s strategic vulnerability as it weighs heavy dependence on this route for its energy imports and trade. Over 80% of Chinese oil imports pave their way through the waters of Malacca.

This brings us to the political aspects; where the region faces several rivalries amongst the regional and even global players to establish dominance. The geopolitical contestation between the democracies of QUAD and China in the Indo-Pacific, has aggravated the security concerns in Malacca too. Furthermore, this region also faces several non-traditional threats like piracy, narcotics trafficking, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU), arms trade, etc.


Over the centuries, this strategic waterway has witnessed cultural exchanges, making it a vibrant bridge between many civilisations. From Indian, Chinese, and Arab influence in the medieval period, to the advent of Europeans in the Indies in the 16th century, the Strait of Malacca has been testimony of diverse crossroads of cultures and civilisations.


MALACCA: THE MEDIEVAL ERA’S MARITIME MARVEL


The story dates back to 11th century CE, when the Chola Empire ruling in Southern India, made an expedition across the Andaman Sea – to the kingdom in Sumatra and Malaya. The geopolitical dynamics of the times created a necessity for the Cholas to venture and conduct naval raids.


Trade between India and China flourished, therefore, the raid on Sri Vijaya Empire in Southeast Asia, was essential, considering the turbulent times. In the current times, naval dominance is given utmost importance as the principle of ‘Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ highlights ‘One who controls the sea is all powerful.’


The strait of Malacca facilitated the west to east connectivity, as trade from the Red Sea crossed the Indian Ocean Region, up to Malacca Strait, and headed towards Champa Empire in Vietnam, and Song Empire in China. Experiencing the lucrative trade and profits, the contestation proliferated, making Malacca the focal point of regional rivalry.


The Chola Empire’s naval expedition was a part of their policy ‘Digvijay’ (expansionist policy), extending their boundaries which was witnessed under the reigns of the King Rajaraja Chola and his son King Rajendra Chola. King Rajendra stretched the empire’s boundaries, amassing the territories of Maldives, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Sri Lanka, completing the task his father had commenced.

The Sri Vijaya Empire had control over the Malacca Strait, however, the Javanese kingdoms had Sunda Strait under their control, erupting a competition amongst them to dominate the chokepoints. The regional parties in the rim of the ocean took sides, to maintain unrestricted access, avoiding the possible vulnerability of supply chains. Many diplomatic missions were sent across the nations to negotiate and resolve the strategic dilemma.


Siding with the Chinese, the Sri Vijaya empire tried to formulate a strategic alliance to maintain the balance of power; this reflects the present-day QUAD groupings initiatives to keep the Indo-Pacific region – “free, open, and inclusive.” This caused concern to the Angkor King, who later sided with the Cholas.


The king of Angkor, Suryavarman I tried to reopen the route through Isthmus of Kra, reflecting the urge for an alternative route to counterbalance the Sino-Sri Vijaya alliance. Amusingly, China is manoeuvring towards opening the Isthmus of Kra to address its Malacca Dilemma. Many parallels can be drawn with the contemporary geopolitical characteristics of this region; however, the parties are either different or have switched roles.

Around 1016, the Sri Vijaya empire defeated the Javanese capital of Mataram, and took hold of Sunda Strait. Consequently, this amplified their influence in the region. Evidences suggest that they exploited their prowess by charging exorbitant tolls on merchant shipping. This reason could have been enough for the Cholas to defeat them in the subsequent years, and flourish their empires across their traditional region of South India.


MALACCA’S CONTEMPORARY CONUNDRUM


The above chapter from 11th century medieval history underscores the significance of Malacca Strait, which is still perceived in contemporary times. Major powers like China and the US and its allies, have a power play to establish dominance in the region.


To overcome the Malacca dilemma, China is growing its naval prowess, by expanding its People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), heavily investing in ports of the region through Belt and Road Initiative, conducting grey-zone tactics, enhancing their naval assets, and overall increasing its naval capabilities.


Additionally, crucial power in the Indo-Pacific region like the United States, maintains its significant strategic interests in the region. From outposts like Guam to strategic alliance with the QUAD. Additionally, it has defence pacts like AUKUS and ANZUS in the region to counter the Chinese dominance.


Nevertheless, the ASEAN nations take the responsibility to keep the critical sea lines of communications (SLOC) like Malacca, Sunda and Lombok Straits secure and stable. They have implemented initiatives like the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) to combat non-traditional security threats like piracy and armed robbery at the sea.


A key initiative is the Malacca Straits Security Initiative which aims to augment the maritime security of the region, and involves patrolling and intelligence sharing amongst countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. ASEAN and their dialogue partner – India, have bolstered their partnership to enhance cooperation in maritime security, and have taken strides to keep the vital sea lines like Malacca Strait secure and stable.

In a nutshell, the security of Malacca Strait is of huge significance, and it has testimony through the historic accounts. The geostrategic importance of Malacca Strait resonates its impact on security, international trade, economics, politics, culture in the regional as well as global dynamics.


From the conundrums of Cholas over influence on the sea route of Malacca to the contemporary dilemma experienced by powers like China, highlights the strategic importance of this critical chokepoint. The naval expedition of Cholas in the 11th century underscores the historic significance of Malacca waters from security and prosperity purview.  


 

BY ARYA GHADIGAONKAR

TEAM GEOSTRATA

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