With increasing Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean through its “String of Pearls” strategy, India’s Indo-Pacific policy emphasizes alliances, military logistics pacts, and island diplomacy. How does India’s cooperation with Indian Ocean island nations like Seychelles, Mauritius, and Maldives support its maritime strategy?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is It helps monitor Sea Lines of Communication and enhances strategic depth.
Explanation:
☛ India's maritime strategy focuses heavily on maintaining Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
☛ Island nations such as Seychelles, Mauritius, and Maldives occupy crucial geographic choke points along vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), through which major global trade and energy supplies pass.
☛ Partnerships with these island countries allow India to set up coastal radar systems, conduct joint naval surveillance, and counter China's "String of Pearls" encirclement strategy.
☛ This cooperation grants India valuable strategic depth and reinforces its role as the "Net Security Provider" in the region.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Mission SAGAR: Launched in 2020, the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative represents India's vision for sustainable and secure maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
☛ Agalega Island: India collaborated with Mauritius to develop an airstrip and a jetty on Agalega Island to enhance maritime security and surveillance.
☛ Coastal Surveillance Radar System (CSRS): India has installed a primary chain of coastal surveillance radar stations across Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
☛ IFC-IOR: India established the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region in 2018 at Gurugram to foster regional maritime security and data sharing.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Where is the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) located? → Gurugram, Haryana
☛ Which Indian vision was enunciated in 2015 for maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean? → SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
☛ On which island of Mauritius did India construct an airstrip and jetty in 2024? → Agalega Island
☛ What is the bilateral joint military exercise conducted between India and Seychelles? → Exercise LAMITIYE
☛ What is the bilateral naval exercise conducted between India and Maldives? → Exercise Ekatha