Indian Ocean: The Plethora of Trade

The Indian Ocean Region, recognised as one of the busiest maritime corridors in the world, is vital to global trade and energy security. It is home to 23 of the top 100 cargo harbours and facilitates the movement of more than half of the world’s seaborne oil. Furthermore, this crucial marine route accounts for one-fifth of the global oil and gas shipments. Given India’s extensive coastline and historical maritime connections, formulating a comprehensive naval policy is essential for addressing various security challenges. This strategy is particularly significant in light of the coalitions formed by other nations to counteract China’s growing influence in the region, thus reinforcing Spykman’s theory of maritime power. By prioritising naval capabilities, India can enhance its strategic positioning in a complex and dynamic geopolitical landscape.

However, threats emanating from India’s land borders with China and Pakistan dominated the country’s security strategy for many years following independence, delaying the identification of marine problems. The Indian Ocean region is encircled by the US alliance and intentions against China, as well as those of France and the Middle East. China’s strings of pearls strategy and India’s strategic maritime framework have come to the forefront in this context.

Later, piracy emerged as a significant concern in this evolving landscape, with the northwest Indian Ocean region, the Strait of Malacca, and the Gulf of Aden identified as critical chokepoints frequently targeted by pirate activity. Since the onset of piracy in 2008, there has been a steady increase in the deployment of warships from regional and extra-regional navies, operating independently or as part of various international coalitions. The rise in pirate attacks in these vital maritime corridors represents one of the most pressing contemporary crises. Given the current security dynamics in the region, the Indian Navy has assumed a leading role in addressing the multifaceted security challenges posed by piracy and other threats, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean.

Piracy

Piracy is one of the main maritime insurgencies affecting the various states’ armed forces, the economy, and the political climate. It entails interfering with commerce, seizing control of the ship and its belongings, torturing the navy personnel within, and demanding a ransom to free the officers. Shipping prices may go up as a result of organisations needing to pay higher insurance premiums or rerouting boats for safety. This entropy will create waves in the state’s economy and sociopolitical ties, much as how inflation rates change.

This gap allowed piracy to flourish throughout Somalia’s long coastline because there was little maritime protection. Economic hardship was a significant contributor, as many Somalis were impoverished and unemployed. The chance to profit handsomely from ransom payments for captured ships appealed to individuals with limited options. The lack of a central authority to enforce maritime law and bring criminal charges against violators made the fight against piracy more challenging.

Due to the worldwide marine routes that travelled through the strategically significant rivers in the Horn of Africa, the region became a hotbed of piracy. Somali pirates preyed on cargo and oil tankers, among other commercial ships, and demanded substantial ransoms in return for the release of captured crew members and ships. Due to the deployment of numerous multinational naval task teams to patrol the area and protect maritime channels in reaction to the rise in piracy, the frequency of pirate attacks has recently dropped.

Maritime Terrorism

Being a waterway that links Australia to the east, Africa to the west, and Asia to the north, the Indian Ocean has become a centre for both trade and terror. Chokepoints, Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOCs), linked alliances, and the border between diverse ethnic groups all contributed to the region’s insurgency. Compared to the preceding six years, 2023 saw a twenty per cent increase in piracy; the most recent attack suggested a twice-strong revival of piracy.

The governments formed partnerships and organisations to prevent unlawful operations and create a seamless atmosphere for transactions. The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which was established in 1997 and has members from Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, is one prominent example. The Indian Navy is facing numerous internal problems, but its position in the current scenario has been strengthened, and its authority is cemented by its unbiased response to the pirate crisis in the Indian Ocean region.

Operation Sankalp

Since November 2023, pirates have been trying to assault the Indian Ocean region nonstop. They have been successful for about ten years, and this occurrence suggests that piracy may be returning to the area. The MV Ruen, a bulk cargo ship flying the Maltese flag and owned by Bulgaria, was hijacked during a noteworthy period of piracy that ended in December 2023 in the Gulf of Aden and the neighbouring areas of the Indian Ocean Region.

The pirates attacked other nearby vessels with the MV Ruen, which they had taken in December. Three months later, on March 15, the Ruen was intercepted by the INS Kolkata close to the western edge of the Indian Coast. After 40 hours of action by the Indian Navy, 35 pirates were forced to surrender, and the 17 members of the crew of the Indian Navy were rescued. It was specifically a 100-day maritime security operation run under the banner of “Op Sankalp.”

The navy has the authority to apprehend pirates at this time by the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022. The Indian Navy’s skilful and resolute efforts in the ongoing maritime security operations under ‘Op Sankalp’ have been acknowledged on a global scale for their ability to safeguard India’s maritime interests, counter maritime threats, stop piracy from rising again, and have a significant impact on the Indian Ocean region’s drug trade. The Indian Navy has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring all seafarers’ safety, regardless of nationality, by responding to various security threats.

Houthi Attacks and Somali Piracy

The Red Sea Houthi attacks were the result of a variety of political goals and punitive measures against several targets, including Israel and the United States. On the other hand, Somali piracy is motivated by financial incentives rather than political ones because of the nation’s frail public sector and underdeveloped economy.

Trade in the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf of Aden was hampered by the unexpected convergence of these two types of attacks in a vital maritime region. The peak of Somali piracy caused enormous losses for the world economy and raised shipping costs as shipping companies had to spend more on employing police and putting security measures in place on board. They also had to pay more for insurance and out to crew members in danger.

Conclusion

The growing significance of the Indian Ocean region since the end of the Cold War underlines its strategic significance. India’s proactive initiatives, including Blue Water Navy modernisation and Operation Sankalp, exemplify its commitment to safeguarding its interests in this crucial maritime area. This commitment enhances India’s status as a maritime power, a role that significantly contributes to its GDP and regional influence while addressing maritime insurgency.

To effectively combat piracy, a critical component of India’s maritime strategy, enhancing naval presence and increasing collaboration through multilateral alliances is essential. The ongoing threat of piracy jeopardises regional stability and poses substantial risks of military and economic losses for the nation. Consequently, strengthening maritime security efforts is imperative for India to successfully navigate the complexities of the Indian Ocean and uphold its strategic interests in this vital region. By embracing a multidimensional approach to maritime security, India can reinforce its position as a key player in ensuring the stability and prosperity of the Indian Ocean.

Hanna Sunny, Research Scholar, Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy, ST Joseph’s University, Email: [email protected].

Dr. Karamala Areesh Kumar, Head, Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy (IRP and PP), St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru-560027, India, Email: [email protected], [email protected], ORCiD: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-3908-071X.