Tides of Influence: India's Maritime Security Architecture in the Indian Ocean Region

India's geostrategic posture in the Indian Ocean Region is an integral part of its defense umbrella, especially in India-China relations. The Indian Navy has commenced the modernisation of its ships, enhancing their capabilities in order to defend the nation's extensive maritime borders and economic interests.

Illustration by The Geostrata

However, the current situation reveals multiple challenges. Significant financial constraints have hampered the purchase of advanced equipment and technologies.

India's defence budget for 2025-26 is set at ₹6,81,210 crore (around $78.57 billion), which is an increase of 9.5% compared to the previous year. However, the Indian Navy's operational preparedness has been further degraded by the supply chain delays of key equipment such as MQ-9B Sea/ SkyGuardian drones, which offer the Navy essential capabilities.

Elsewhere, a ₹1,220 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for 149 Software Defined Radios for the Indian Coast Guard is meant to enhance secure communications and situational awareness. Despite these challenges, India decisively moves forward in mastering its own maritime security posture through strategic partnerships and indigenisation.

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF INDIAN OCEAN REGION (IOR)

The Indian Ocean Region, being a strategic maritime domain, has a convergence of several nations' economic, political, and military interests.

97% of India’s external trade passes through shipping routes, and in this regard, maritime security becomes a cornerstone of national defence and economic stability.

However, China’s increasing influence in the region through strategic corridors and overseas military bases challenges India’s maritime security. These bases fall into two categories: those directly controlled by China, like the Djibouti naval base, and those heavily funded but operated by other nations, such as the Ream base in Cambodia and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. This expanding military footprint complicates India's security strategy.

BAY OF BENGAL: A KEY MARITIME ARTERY

The Bay of Bengal is a vital maritime hub through which some of the busiest global shipping lanes pass. The region holds immense economic and regional significance due to its proximity to the Malacca Strait, one of the most crucial chokepoints in the Eastern Hemisphere. The Malacca Strait serves as a critical strategic naval bottleneck for China, by leveraging its geopolitical position, India can enhance maritime surveillance and security operations in the region, countering China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean. 

CHINA'S EXPANDING MARITIME FOOTPRINT

China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean is evident through its development of key economic corridors. The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor provides China with direct access to the Bay of Bengal through the Kyaukpyu deep sea port, enhancing its strategic depth in theregion. Moreover, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor connects China’s western regions to the Arabian Sea via Gwadar port, strengthening its presence in South Asia. The China- Middle East Corridor facilitates energy transportation and economic linkages, further expanding China’s maritime footprints. 

Additionally, China’s naval strength surpasses the U.S. in terms of fleet size, boasting 370 battle-ready ships, including various classes of heavier vessels. China has strategically invested $30 billion in economic aid across 46 countries, reinforcing its aid diplomacy.

The establishment of overseas bases in Djibouti, Cambodia, Tanzania, and Pakistan since 2017 ensures China’s continued presence in the Indian Ocean Region, making it a formidable maritime force. 

Further, there have been development of several strategic bases in the Indian Ocean Region and INS Varsha being the most important one. It is a submarine base currently under development on India’s Eastern seaboard in the Bay of Bengal to become a crucial asset in India’s maritime defence. The base, expected to be operational by 2026, will primarily serve as a nuclear-powered submarine base, matching China’s Haikou naval base on Hainan island.

With China’s expanding fleet of 370 battle-ready ships, including 97 coastal defence ships, India must strengthen its naval infrastructure to maintain strategic parity. Further, the development of INS Jatayu, INS Kadamba and naval base at Karwar enhance India’s Anti Access/ Area-Denial capabilities while strengthening its submarine warfare capabilities, particularly with its fleet of diesel-electric submarines and Arihant-class SSBNs. 

THE ROLE OF NAVAL BASES BEYOND MAINLAND SHORES

To strengthen its maritime presence, India is developing key naval bases beyond its mainland. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands serve as a defensive barrier separating maritime Southeast Asia from the Bay of Bengal. The region is rich in natural gas and petroleum, enhancing India’s energy security.

Forward operating bases located 500-600 km from the Malacca Strait facilitate advanced surveillance and tracking of Chinese vessels. The newly constructed INS Kohasa runway supports night landings and operations of larger aircraft, improving operational readiness. 

INDIA'S STRATEGIC OFFENSIVE MEASURES

In response to China’s growing influence, India actively engages in Southeast Asia through its Act East Policy, forging military partnerships with regional actors, Vietnam, Indonesia, through bilateral defence collaborations and arms deals. In April 2024, India delivered its first batch of BrahMos, the world’s fastest cruise missile, to the Philippines, with similar agreements underway with Vietnam. 

India's plans for naval security are multi-faceted in nature. The Indian Navy plans to strengthen its fleet by developing high-end submarines that are included under Project 75 Alpha, Project 75I and Nilgiri-class frigates as part of Project 17A.

The capital expenditure on defence services during 2025-26 is ₹1,80,000 crore, with a major share given to the purchase of assets, including long-range remotely piloted aircraft, deck-based aircraft, and next-generation ships and submarines.

Enhancing awareness in the maritime domain by satellite reconnaissance and unmanned vehicles is also on the agenda. But some potential drawbacks could upset these proposals. Fiscal shortages can still hinder the timely acquisition of necessary equipment. Further, diplomatic tensions with China might worsen and create more military confrontations in the Indian Ocean region. To counter these threats, India needs to prioritise effective budget management, rationalise procurement procedures, and increase diplomatic efforts with regional partners.

STRENGTHENING DEFENCE CAPABILITIES

India has to make efforts on multiple fronts to make its maritime security policy a success. First, efforts can be made to overcome the budgetary problem through creative finance options and public-private partnerships to close the financing gap. Second, enhancing the effectiveness of the defence procurement system by cutting through bureaucratic red tape and closer collaboration with global defence producers is key. Finally, India must prioritise the development of its regional partnerships and involvement in multilateral naval exercises to improve its strategic presence in the Indian Ocean.

It can be further achieved through conducting HADR operations, anti-piracy operations, enhancing access to crucial ports, and enhancing the overall role as a net security provider in the region.

By resolving these challenges and taking advantage of its strategic strengths, India can successfully counter China's increasing influence in the region and protect its maritime interests.

India’s maritime preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region is at a critical juncture. While significant progress has been made in naval modernisation, infrastructure development, and strategic alliances, challenges remain in the allocation of budget, fleet expansion, and diplomatic outreach. Strengthening naval bases in the Andaman and Nicobar, leveraging the Malacca Strait’s strategic importance, and bolstering partnerships in Southeast Asia are essential steps toward ensuring India’s maritime dominance in the Indian Ocean Region. India must continue to fortify its naval power to counterbalance China’s growing influence and safeguard its strategic interests in the region. 

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BY TANU NAGAR AND VAIBHAV SINGH

TEAM GEOSTRATA

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