Indian Ocean

India must reclaim and strengthen its leadership role in shaping the governance, sustainability, and security architecture of the Indian Ocean, guided by the principle “From the Indian Ocean, for the World.”
This imperative arises at a time when:

• The climate crisis is intensifying stress on marine ecosystems.

• Global focus on oceans is increasing through platforms such as COP30, UN Ocean Conference-3 (UNOC3), and expanding blue finance commitments.

• India is uniquely positioned to drive a cooperative, sustainable, and inclusive ocean agenda.

India’s Historical Role in Ocean Governance

India has a long tradition of leadership in ocean affairs.
During the UNCLOS negotiations of the 1970s–80s, India strongly supported small island nations, advocating the principle of the “common heritage of humankind” for seabed resources beyond national jurisdiction.

This stance reflected Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision that oceans are central to India’s security, prosperity, and global engagement. Historically, India has consistently projected itself as both a maritime nation and a maritime leader.

Rising Pressures on the Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean region (IOR) faces mounting challenges due to:

• Climate-induced threats such as ocean warming, acidification, sea-level rise, and coral degradation.

• Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, undermining livelihoods and food security.

• Growing geopolitical rivalries in the Indo-Pacific, including China’s expanding naval presence and intensified US–China competition.

These pressures create both risks and strategic opportunities for India to lead regional solutions.

India’s Blue Ocean Strategy: Core Vision

India’s emerging Blue Ocean Strategy rests on the understanding that ecological sustainability, economic prosperity, and maritime security are deeply interconnected.
Rather than viewing the ocean only through a naval lens, India seeks to integrate developmental and environmental priorities with strategic interests.

Global Developments Strengthening the Blue Agenda (2025)

Several global initiatives in 2025 reinforce the momentum for ocean governance:

• Blue Economy and Finance Forum (Monaco): Governments, development banks, and private investors announced a €25 billion investment pipeline, along with new commitments worth €8.7 billion.

• COP30, Belém: Brazil launched the “One Ocean Partnership”, aiming to mobilise $20 billion by 2030 for ocean protection and sustainable activities.

• Development Bank of Latin America: The bank doubled its blue economy financing target to $2.5 billion by 2030.

These developments provide India with opportunities to align regional initiatives with global finance flows.

Security Through Sustainability

Maritime security in the Indian Ocean today extends beyond traditional naval threats.
Environmental degradation—such as IUU fishing, coral loss, and extreme weather events—directly undermines livelihoods, stability, and regional resilience.

India’s SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region) reflects this broader understanding by integrating ecosystem health with maritime security, disaster response, and shared domain awareness.

India’s Leadership Imperative

Drawing inspiration from Indira Gandhi’s 1972 Stockholm Conference ethos, India can leverage:

• Ratification of the BBNJ Agreement (effective from 2026),

• Momentum from UNOC3, COP30, and G20 platforms, and

• Its chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

to pioneer initiatives such as:

• An Indian Ocean Blue Fund,

• Green shipping corridors, and

• Blue bonds to convert global pledges into sustainable regional prosperity.

The year 2026 is pivotal, marking both UNOC3 and the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement, offering India a historic opportunity to lead.

Way Forward: A Comprehensive Strategy

1. Institutional Leadership

India should promote mechanisms like an Indian Ocean Sustainability and Security Council within IORA and operationalise the Indian Ocean Blue Fund to support long-term regional projects.

2. Strengthening Regional Partnerships

India must deepen cooperation with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and African coastal nations, using platforms such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) to expand collaboration on marine ecology, resource management, and maritime security.

3. Domestic Reforms

Key priorities include modernising fisheries, expanding marine protected areas, strengthening coastal regulation, and enhancing climate adaptation for coastal communities.

4. Maritime Diplomacy

India should continue to project the Indian Ocean as a zone of cooperation, with diplomacy that is inclusive, sovereignty-respecting, and development-oriented.

5. Technology and Innovation

Investments in satellite-based ocean monitoring, AI-driven early warning systems, green port infrastructure, marine biotechnology, and responsible carbon sequestration will further cement India’s leadership in sustainable ocean governance.

Conclusion

As climate risks and geopolitical competition intensify, the future of the Indian Ocean depends on collective stewardship.
By aligning security with sustainability, and regional cooperation with global leadership, India can truly realise the vision of “From the Indian Ocean, for the World.”