Nearly 90% of India's trade volume and 80% of its oil imports transit through the Indian Ocean SLOCs. With the rapid expansion of external naval presences and localized piracy threats, the Indian Navy has transitioned from a defensive coastal force to a robust, expeditionary provider of regional security.
The Posture Shift: Oceanic Power Projection
To project credible deterrence, India must upgrade its deep-sea naval assets, focusing specifically on submarine capacities and long-range maritime surveillance. Collaborative exercises with partner nations are valuable, but strategic autonomy dictates that India maintains independent, sovereign command over its maritime choke points.
By reinforcing naval bases on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and establishing regional maritime security alliances in the western Indian Ocean, New Delhi can successfully guarantee regional stability and secure its strategic autonomy.