Geopolitics of Indian Ocean – UGC NET Geography – Notes

• Before knowing the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean and South Asia let us understand what is Geopolitics?
• The formation of political strategies based on geopolitical facts to obtain special political or economic benefits is called Geopolitics.
• South Asia and the Indian Ocean realm have become geopolitically important because of their strategic location.

Geopolitics of Indian Ocean

• a) India has a long coastline in the Indian Ocean, it is also the biggest littoral country. These two factors reinforced India’s dominant position in the Indian Ocean region.
• b) India in the past as well now concerned about peace, how to prevent unauthorized invasions in the Indian Ocean, and protect the exploitation of mineral resources in other countries.
• c) The growing naval ambitions of China and the increasing presence of Chinese naval bases pose military challenges to India.
• d) The presence of neighboring countries with nuclear weapons, such as Pakistan and China, is forcing India to establish a sophisticated nuclear defense system. India must develop the secondary attack capability of nuclear weapons.
• e) India’s growing dependence on Oil and Gas Resources in Western Asia requires the participation of India in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The geographical as wells responsible for the geopolitical importance of the Indian Ocean can be grouped into 3 headings.

• The strategic location of the Indian Ocean
• Dynamics of Cold-War
• Concerns in the Post Cold-War era