In the dynamic theater of the Asia-Pacific, Indian naval strategy emerges as an amalgamation of ancient wisdom and contemporary pragmatism. Drawing the maritime strategic foresight from Kautilya’s Arthashatra and insights from Pannikar’s work ‘India and Indian Ocean’, Indian naval strategy is reflection of historical legacy with future outlook. In present context, India is boldly asserting its naval strategy under Prime Minister Modi. Its seamlessly weaves Kautilya’s principles with Panikkar’s vision of strategic maritime arc. This raises serious concerns for Pakistan’s strategic maritime interests and security calculus in the region.
Doctrinal Roles of Indian Navy
There are four key doctrinal roles of Indian Navy. Military role commensurate with Corbettian principles of Sea Control, Sea Denial, and Sea Lines of Comunications (SLOC) protection. Diplomatic role includes to favourably shape the maritime environment with respect to Indian ambitions; whereas, Constabulary role entails Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and maintaining order at sea that would be favourable to India. The Benign role of the Indian Navy is comprised of Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief, and Search and Rescue operations.
Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific: India as Net Security Provider
The rebranding from Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific highlights US strategic focus, aiming to consolidate East Asia, South Asia, Indian Ocean, and Western Pacific under a US-led rules-based order. US China containment strategy entails military buildup, technology transfers, alliances like Quad, economic initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and supporting India’s rise. US has also renamed its Pacific 7th fleet as Indo-Pacific Command. India features prominently as ‘Net security provider’, ‘Strong India’, and ‘India as like-minded partner’. 2022 US National Security Strategy also regards India as ‘Major Defense Partner’ that could support shared vision of ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’. The strategy also highlights the importance of Quad and I2-U2 for advancing US interests in the region, whereby India is a key member of both alliances..
Indian Naval Strategy in Asia-Pacific
The analysis of 2015 Maritime Security Strategy suggests five 5 key strategies pertinent to India’s naval posture in Indo-Pacific Region: a) Strategy for Deterrence – with a maritime security objective to deter conflict and coercion against India, India’s deterrence strategy rests upon ‘deterrence by denial’ and ‘deterrence by punishment’ in both nuclear and conventional domains; b) Strategy for Conflict – the key maritime security objective of India’s strategy for conflict is to conduct maritime military operations that enables early termination of conflict on terms favorable to India. The operational principles of this strategy include ‘force application’ and ‘strategic effect; whereas the operational enablers are MDA, networked operations, preparedness, coordination, and operational tempo. In terms of operational actions – projection of force, coastal defense, sea control, sea denial, SLOC protection, information warfare, and escalation management hold vital importance; c) Strategy for shaping a favourable and positive maritime environment – third strategy emphasizes upon building favourable and positive maritime environment for enhancing net security in India’s maritime interests. It signifies India’s ambitious execution of its role as ‘Net Security Provider’ through rapid response, capacity building and capability enhancement, maritime security operations, strategic communication, and regional MDA; d) Strategy for coastal and offshore security – strategy for coastal and offshore security focuses upon protection of Indian coastal and offshore assets against non-traditional security threats emanating from the sea;e) Strategy for maritime force and capability development – strategy for maritime force and capability development emphasizes requisite maritime force levels and maintenance of capability. On one hand, this strategy emphasizes upon indigenization for self-reliance and self-sufficiency as mentioned in Science and Technology Roadmap (2015-2035) and Indian Naval indigenization Plan (2015-2027); while on the other hand, it entails joint ventures with foreign collaborators.
Execution of Indian Naval strategy
India has been purusing a multi-faceted approach to execute its naval strategy in Indo-Pacific Region.
Offshore basis: India has been incessantly carrying out its Necklace of Diamond Strategy. It includes building ports and Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) system to monitor the SLOCs in Indo-Pacific Region. The manifestation of this strategy is evident from agreement with Oman to access Oman’s naval facilities in Duqm port; India’s recent 10-year deal to operate Iran’s Chabahar port; deep-sea port in Sabang Indonesia proximal to Strait of Malacca; agreement with Singapore to access its Changi Naval Base; deep water port in Sittwe, Myanmar; India’s militarization of Andaman and Nicobar Islands; quest to build naval base in Assumption Island, Seychelles; opening up of jetty and airstrip on Agalega Island, Mauritius; Indian base in Minicoy, Lakshadweep island. With this outlay, India navy is in incessant pursuit for choke point dominance in IOR.
Force expansion: With respect to force expansion, Indian Navy has been trying constantly to increase and modernize its naval fleet by including next-generation warships, submarines, survey vessels, and multi-purpose vessels. By 2035, Indian Navy aims to achieve a force level of 175 warships. Naval indigenisation efforts commensurate with Indian Navy Indigenisation Plan (2015-2030) and ‘Make in India Initiative’. Besides conventional domain, Indian Navy is also enhancing its sea-based deterrence capabilities.
Net Security Provider: One of fulcrum of Indian naval strategy is ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR) plan with the goal to become Regional Net Security provider. It is based upon three pillars: a) setting up institutional frameworks for deliberate and sustained interaction, b) enabling partners through capacity building, and c) restructuring relationships to address interests of strategic partners. Operation Sankalp also signifies Indian Navy demonstration of ‘Net Security Provider’. As a response to Red Sea crisis, Indian Navy launched maritime security operations post December 2023. India is seeking to ensure simultaneous presence at different locations in IOR through orchestration of mission based deployment.
Bilateral and multilateral agreements: India’s bilateral strategic partnerships with the US, facilitated by agreements like , Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA), Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA),Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), alongside collaboration within the Quad, significantly bolster its naval strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. MSRA allows US Navy ships to undergo repair at Indian shipyards. LEMOA ensures logistical support, COMCASA enhances secured communication and interoperability, and BECA enables advanced geospatial intelligence sharing. Moreover, membership in Quad anchors India’s ties with US, Japan, Japan, & Australia. To expand its strategic partnership with ASEAN countries, India has been actively purusing Modi’s Act East Policy.
Implications for Pakistan
Indian Naval strategy in Asia-Pacific has following detrimental ramifications for Pakistan: a) Disruption of SLOCs – concerns over potential disruption of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) in the event of crisis and heightened tension cannot be ruled out. This could have negative impact on Pakistan’s maritime trade and economy; b) Strategic stability – a stronger Indian naval presence reinforces deterrence capabilities, affecting strategic stability in the region; c) India enhanced military and diplomatic clout – India’s role as a security provider in the Indian Ocean would buttress its military and diplomatic clout in region and its naval presence and surveillance in the Indian Ocean could constrain Pakistan’s strategic flexibility; d) Alliances with key states – alliances, particularly with the US, could bolster India’s maritime capabilities, which it could harness against Pakistan; e) Force posture impact – India’s enhanced naval capabilities characterizes its offensive leaning posture vis-à-vis Pakistan.
India’s evolving naval strategy in the Asia-Pacific aims to secure its strategic interests and enhance regional influence which poses detrimental implications for Pakistan. Pakistan must proactively develop a holistic maritime strategy to navigate the emanating challenges and safeguard its maritime interests effectively.
