Strait of Malacca

The recent news that India has secured Singapore’s support to patrol the Strait of Malacca is significant, especially in the context of India’s growing strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region.

About the Strait of Malacca:

• Location & Geography: The Strait of Malacca connects the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) to the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean). It lies between the Indonesian island of Sumatra to the west and peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand to the east.

• Historical Significance: The strait's name comes from the Malacca Sultanate, which controlled the region from 1400 to 1511. This historical backdrop adds to the region’s cultural and strategic importance.

• Shipping Lane: It’s a critical chokepoint for global trade and shipping, with ships passing through this narrow waterway to transport goods between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The strait handles a significant portion of the world’s seaborne trade.

Significance of the Strait:

• Trade Flow: Approximately 60% of India’s seaborne trade and nearly all of its LNG imports pass through the Malacca Strait. This makes it vital for India’s economic security.

• Strategic Sensitivity: The strait is not just important for India but also for China. In fact, it’s considered a choke point for Chinese shipping, which adds a layer of geopolitical sensitivity. Given the competition and tensions in the Indo-Pacific, this area is crucial for both regional powers.

Malacca Straits Patrol (MSP):

The Malacca Straits Patrol (MSP) was launched in 2004 by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore to address piracy, terrorism, and trafficking in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes. Thailand later joined the initiative.

The MSP operates with three coordinated layers:

1. Malacca Straits Sea Patrol: This involves regular joint naval patrols by the participating countries to ensure safety and security in the strait.

2. Eyes-in-the-Sky: These are combined aerial patrols to monitor and provide surveillance over the strait, identifying any suspicious activities.

3. Intelligence Exchange Group: A real-time data-sharing mechanism that allows the four countries to exchange crucial information about maritime threats, such as piracy, smuggling, and terrorism.

India’s Involvement:

India's increased engagement in the Strait of Malacca reflects its growing interest in securing maritime routes in the Indo-Pacific. Singapore's support is key here, as the city-state plays a pivotal role in the Malacca Straits Patrols (MSP). India’s participation, if expanded, could enhance regional cooperation on maritime security, particularly as India looks to bolster its Act East Policy and security presence in the Indo-Pacific.