The Indian Navy: Rising as a Global Maritime Power

As the Indian Ocean becomes an increasingly contested maritime frontier, the Indian Navy has solidified its role as a global maritime power.

The Indian Ocean, a critical artery of global trade and energy flow, has become an arena of intense geopolitical competition. As the world's busiest maritime corridor, it sees over 90% of global seaborne trade pass through its waters. With the shifting tides of international power, India's naval forces have emerged as a crucial stabilizing force, transforming from a regional defender to a prominent global maritime power.

Historically, the Indian Navy's primary focus was coastal defense, aimed at protecting India's extensive coastline and territorial waters. However, evolving regional and global dynamics have necessitated a shift toward safeguarding vital sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) that stretch from the Strait of Malacca to the Persian Gulf. This transition is a direct reflection of India's growing aspirations as a maritime power, capable of securing not just its own interests but also contributing to global security and commerce.

Strategic Evolution: From Coastal Defence to a Global Role

A pivotal moment in the Indian Navy's evolution came after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which were carried out by militants arriving by sea. The attack exposed critical vulnerabilities in India's maritime security and prompted a comprehensive reevaluation of its naval strategy. In response, the Indian government unveiled the "Indian Maritime Security Strategy" in 2015, which outlined the Navy's expanded role as a "net security provider" in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).