“Indian Ocean as a New Political and Security Region” by Frédéric Grare & Jean-Loup Samaan |

Indian Ocean / Security Lense| Book Review | 08-August-2024

Published 2022

The book “Indian Ocean as a New Political and Security Region” explores the evolving dynamics within one of the world’s most strategically significant regions. This comprehensive work delves into the multifaceted dimensions of the Indian Ocean, transcending its historical role as a maritime trade route to analyze its emerging status as a pivotal geopolitical arena. Authored by experts in international relations, security studies, and maritime affairs, the book offers a nuanced understanding of how political and security landscapes are evolving across the Indian Ocean. It examines key geopolitical shifts, security challenges, and strategic interests of major and emerging powers that intersect in this vital maritime space. The book also explores the role of major powers like India, China, the United States, and regional organizations in shaping the Indian Ocean’s political and security landscape. It critically evaluates the strategic policies and initiatives of key stakeholders and their implications for regional stability and global maritime governance. With contributions from scholars and practitioners, “Indian Ocean as a New Political and Security Region” provides a comprehensive and timely analysis essential for policymakers, academics, and anyone interested in understanding the evolving dynamics and future prospects of the Indian Ocean region in the 21st century.

Indian Ocean as a New Political and Security Region

Chapter 2 of “Indian Ocean as a New Political and Security Region,” titled “The Advent of China’s Indian Ocean Strategy,” provides an in-depth analysis of China’s strategic initiatives and evolving role in the Indian Ocean region. Authored by experts in international relations and Asian geopolitics, the chapter begins by tracing China’s historical connections to the Indian Ocean through ancient maritime trade routes, emphasizing the revival of these ties in contemporary times under initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

It examines China’s strategic investments and infrastructure projects across the Indian Ocean littoral, such as the development of the Gwadar Port in Pakistan and the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, positioning these initiatives within the broader framework of China’s maritime Silk Road strategy.

Moreover, history shows that China’s early recognition of the geopolitical importance of the IOR, even before its emergence as a major economic power. It conducted its inaugural port visits to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka from 16 November 1985 to 19 January 1986, marking a significant milestone in China’s naval capabilities and strategic outreach in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Despite this initial demonstration of naval capability, subsequent port calls in the region did not occur until the mid-1990s. By then, China had transitioned into a net importer of oil, emphasizing the pragmatic economic underpinnings of its expanding naval activities in the IOR. This strategic shift reflected China’s growing reliance on maritime trade routes to secure energy resources, highlighting the interplay between geopolitical strategy and economic imperatives in shaping China’s naval presence and influence in the Indian Ocean. Security considerations are a focal point, addressing China’s efforts to mitigate risks to its sea lines of communication (SLOCs) and protect its expanding maritime interests. This includes discussions on counter-piracy operations, naval diplomacy, and the broader implications for regional stability amid heightened geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean. It also examines China’s engagement with regional organizations and its diplomatic efforts to build partnerships with Indian Ocean littoral states, analyzing the responses of traditional maritime powers and the United States to China’s growing influence. Economically, the chapter assesses the impact of China’s investments and infrastructure development on local economies and their integration into global supply chains. It evaluates the economic benefits and potential risks associated with Chinese financing and infrastructure projects, including debt sustainability concerns and local socio-economic impacts. Likewise, the notion of China seeking permanent footholds in the Indian Ocean has significantly shaped debates on China’s regional ambitions and underscores its growing influence in the area. In the United States and particularly in India, analysts often interpret the “String of Pearls” as a challenge to American hegemony or India’s own strategic position, reflecting concerns about China’s expanding presence and its implications for regional power dynamics. Conversely, skepticism persists within China itself regarding the effectiveness and rationale of securing energy supplies primarily through military means. This ongoing debate highlights differing perspectives on China’s strategic motivations and the complex interplay between economic interests, regional security dynamics, and geopolitical strategies in the Indian Ocean region.

Likewise, Chapter 3 offers a fresh perspective on the evolving geopolitical dynamics between China and India in the Indian Ocean over the past two decades, particularly in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It underscores India’s central role in the Indian Ocean, driven by its economic growth and the need for energy supplies and raw materials, paralleling China’s needs. With China’s rapid rise, India has actively sought to enhance its relationships with countries around the Persian Gulf and Africa, forging strong partnerships.

It highlights India’s strategic relationships with regional powers like Japan, France, the US, and even China. To bolster its regional influence, India has launched initiatives, such as rapprochements with small island states in the Indian Ocean through a trilateral framework. The authors note that India, in collaboration with Japan, is working on expanding infrastructure projects to counter China’s influence in East Africa, Eastern countries, and Southeast Asia. This strategic shift has led India to redefine its policy in the Indian Ocean, assume a new, prominent role, and cautiously develop defense partnerships with various regional actors.

The US, the Reluctant Offshore Balancer of the Indian Ocean Rivalries

Similarly, Chapter 4 titled “The US, the Reluctant Offshore Balancer of the Indian Ocean Rivalries” explores the evolving role of the United States in the Indian Ocean region. Historically, the US has treated the area as a secondary priority, which has allowed China to expand its influence. Despite this, the authors assert that the United States remains a key player due to its significant military presence. The US’s interests in the region are largely driven by its economic competition with China.

The chapter begins by arguing that the Indian Ocean should be viewed through the lens of the great power rivalry between China and India. It then discusses how the US perceives other regional players, like South Africa and the Arabian Gulf countries, as secondary, which hinders its ability to effectively engage with these emerging powers. This limited engagement is highlighted by recent developments, such as the strengthening of relations between the Arab Gulf states, Iran, and China.

In the same way, Chapter 5 explores how France and the United Kingdom are reasserting their influence in the Indian Ocean region through strategic partnerships in Africa and ASEAN countries. Historically viewed as a competitive arena for European powers rather than a cooperative one, the region’s dynamics are evolving amidst global financial constraints. The authors argue that Europe must adapt its economic policies, particularly in Africa, to effectively compete with rising powers like China.

Chapter 6 delves into the transformation of Gulf Arab monarchies—such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE—from mere gatekeepers to significant strategic players in the Indian Ocean. This shift is driven by their increased investments and military engagements across sub-regions like the Horn of Africa and South Asia. While these developments enhance their regional influence, they also introduce complexities and potential rivalries, exemplified by ongoing tensions between the UAE and Qatar in the Horn of Africa.

Likewise, Chapter 7 examines Australia and ASEAN’s evolving roles from observers to proactive participants in Indian Ocean affairs. It questions their capacity to shape regional policies effectively, highlighting Australia’s strategic adjustments in response to China’s growing influence and ASEAN’s internal challenges regarding its stance on China’s expanding presence. Equally, Chapter 8 focuses on Africa’s changing role from a passive stakeholder to a potential power broker in the Indian Ocean. The chapter underscores Africa’s increasing integration into global initiatives like China’s Belt and Road, signaling a shift from historical colonial dependencies. It emphasizes the efforts of East African countries to leverage their natural resources to attract regional powers, thereby transitioning from peripheral participants to influential actors in regional geopolitics.

Lastly, Chapter 9 rethinks the security architecture of the Indian Ocean, advocating for a governance-oriented approach rather than competitive dynamics among diverse stakeholders. The authors propose strengthening multilateral frameworks to mitigate potential power struggles and promote stability. They advocate for pragmatic strategies that bolster existing regional organizations while fostering new cooperative frameworks among states and organizations. This approach aims to prevent the Indian Ocean region from becoming a battleground for global powers, emphasizing collaborative efforts to manage and govern its complex geopolitical landscape.

Although, this book provides a thorough and insightful analysis of the region’s evolving dynamics, yet it predominantly reflects a Western perspective, which may inadvertently limit the breadth of its analysis. The book’s emphasis on the strategic interests and policies of Western powers, particularly those of the United States and European countries, often overshadows the perspectives and initiatives of regional actors.

While the chapters meticulously detail China’s growing influence and strategic activities, these are frequently interpreted through a lens of Western strategic considerations, rather than giving equal weight to China’s developmental aspirations. Similarly, the analysis of regional powers like India and the Gulf Arab monarchies tends to focus on their interactions with Western nations and their competition with China, potentially underrepresenting their independent regional roles and strategies.