Description
With the onset of the 21st century, the convergence of geopolitical shifts in the Indian Ocean region prompted the New Delhi government to recalibrate its strategic orientation from a primarily continental focus to a maritime one. China’s String of Pearls initiative, the United States’ deepening security presence, and recurring maritime security challenges compelled India to reassess and strengthen its maritime orientation. The adoption of India’s Maritime Doctrine (2007), along with initiatives such as SAGAR, IORA, and IONS, underscores the evolution of India’s maritime diplomacy particularly in the context of the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region.
In this context, the WANA has emerged as a critical hub for global trade and energy flows, characterized by strategic chokepoints such as the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Hormuz. Employing a qualitative approach, this study examines case studies from key WANA countries such as Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Djibouti to test the proposed hypothesis. These cases aim to assess India’s evolving maritime engagement, exploring both the opportunities for strategic cooperation and the challenges that arise in pursuing its regional objectives.
Furthermore, the paper draws upon Alfred Thayer Mahan’s concept of Sea Power and Julian Corbett’s maritime strategy framework to provide the conceptual foundation for analysis. Ultimately, this study seeks to evaluate India’s maritime diplomacy within the shifting geopolitical landscape of West Asia and North Africa, emphasizing its ambitions and constraints in this strategically vital region.
Keywords: SAGAR, IORA, IONS, Maritime Diplomacy, Sea Power
