Geopolitics: Time For Indian Maritime Assertion

The commitment from the current Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar to enhance safety and security in these waters underscores India's key role in maritime affairs.

"The Indian Ocean is named after us; if we don't take action, who will?," Kumar was quoted stating recently. 

India's proactive stance against piracy exemplifies this commitment. The enactment of the Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill in January 2023 marks a significant step towards strengthening the nation’s maritime security. 

Aligned with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, this legislation implements rigorous anti-piracy measures, including the provision for the death penalty through designated courts. 

India's proactive approach should serve as a model for other nations, urging them to adopt similar laws to facilitate the extradition and prosecution of pirates under international legal frameworks. 

The Indian leadership’s assertions on safeguarding freedom of navigation and combating piracy and terrorism further underline the country’s stance borne out of the fact that India depends on the high seas for its vital oil supplies and its trade linkages. 

This commitment was evident in the recent rescue operations, demonstrating India's willingness to act on its words. 

Admiral Kumar's affirmation of sustained operations until the Indian Ocean is secure reflects the country's unwavering resolve.

"We are the largest resident naval power in the Indian Ocean. Indian Navy's responsibility is to ensure the Indian Ocean Region remains safe, secure, and stable and we will ensure that it is free, open, inclusive, and rules-based order is maintained," he said recently.

Understanding the historical context of piracy in the Indian Ocean illuminates the complexities of maritime security. Unlike piracy elsewhere, the dynamics here were intricately linked to local networks and colonial ambitions. 

Today, despite advancements, piracy remains a concern, as evidenced by recent incidents in strategic waterways like the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

Piracy, an age-old phenomenon intertwined with maritime trade, is a complex narrative in the Indian Ocean, distinct from its counterparts elsewhere. 

Historically, the Indian Ocean was a “free sea,” allowing merchants to navigate sans formal permissions—a stark contrast to European claims of maritime supremacy and their subsequent imposition of maritime peace responsibilities in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The dynamics of piracy in the Indian Ocean were shaped by its unique geography and historical context. Unlike high-seas piracy, which roamed distant waters, piracy in the Indian Ocean thrived in the littoral regions. 

It relied on close-knit networks spanning coastlines, extending into regions like Oman and the Arabian Gulf. This localised nature of piracy prolonged colonial subordination, marked by intermittent confrontations and a repository of pirate depositions.

While piracy posed security threats to traders in the past, its occurrence has become increasingly rare in modern times.

Favourable conditions—weak states with accessible coastlines, disengagement by major naval powers, and lucrative cargoes—foster piracy’s sporadic existence, albeit predominantly in regions like the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean.

The recent resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea prompts scrutiny over the return of Somali pirates, once deemed the scourge of the high seas. 

Despite efforts like Operation Ocean Shield, which purportedly quelled piracy in 2017, maritime security challenges persist, with the Red Sea emerging as a crucial theatre. 

Disruptions in this vital oil carrier route threaten global energy supplies, compelling shipping companies to navigate perilous waters or resort to longer, costlier routes via the Cape of Good Hope.

The escalation of attacks in these regions coincides with regional tensions, exemplified by Israel’s conflict with Gaza and Houthi rebel activities in Yemen.

Pirates exploit these tumultuous waters, possibly aided by proxy forces, to target commercial shipping, exacerbating security concerns and economic ramifications.

The resurgence of piracy underscores the need for collective action. India's proactive involvement in past international efforts, such as Operation Ocean Shield, highlights its capability and willingness to address maritime threats.

The strategic importance of sea routes like the Red Sea necessitates a robust response to ensure global trade remains uninterrupted.

As a major seafaring nation, India has a responsibility to lead efforts against maritime threats. Beyond military operations, leveraging geopolitical influence can foster regional stability. India's approach, focused on peace in its neighbourhood rather than global dominance, sets it apart.

Historically, piracy has posed significant threats to maritime safety, profoundly impacting global trade.

Acts of piracy in the recent past have not only resulted in loss of lives and cargo, but also led to inflated insurance costs and diverted shipping routes, affecting the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of global trade. 

The resurgence of piracy in modern times, particularly in regions like the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, continues to disrupt vital sea lanes, posing challenges to international commerce and energy security. 

India's proactive efforts in safeguarding the waters around its region and actively participating in global initiatives to combat piracy demonstrate its capability and commitment to ensuring maritime security. 

By playing a concerned global nation on this topic, India's proactive stance not only protects its interests, but also contributes to the collective security and prosperity of the international community, underscoring the country's potential to assert its maritime efforts on a global scale.

Many believe that as a major seafaring nation dependent on maritime trade, an assertive India should assume a leadership role in the fight against sea piracy. 

Besides taking part in bilateral and multilateral maritime drills, Indian naval and Coast Guard vessels are deployed in piracy-prone waters to prevent attacks and escort ships under various flags.

India could also consider leveraging its geopolitical influence, as well as its naval might to be a larger regional power and a global catalyst for better maritime peace.

Thus, this is the time for India to make its maritime assertion as it is one of the few nations which have striven for peace in its neighbourhood, not motivated by any desire to garner a global ‘big brother’ status.

Srinath Sridharan is a well-known Policy Researcher & Corporate advisor. Views expressed are personal.