Evaluation of India’s Indian Ocean Strategy

Standing Committee Report Summary

• The Standing Committee on External Affairs (Chair: Dr. Shashi Tharoor) presented its report on ‘Evaluation of India’s Indian Ocean Strategy’ on August 11, 2025.  The Indian Ocean is the third-largest oceanic division in the world.  Key observations and recommendations of the Committee include:

• Creating a unified Indian Ocean strategy:  India’s strategies for the Indian ocean region include SAGAR (Security and Growth for All), and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).  SAGAR focuses on countering threats such as terrorism, piracy, and other illegal activities.  MAHASAGAR expands the scope of SAGAR, by also focusing on security, growth, and development goals beyond the region.  The Committee noted that the objectives of both these frameworks overlap.  It recommended conducting a comprehensive review of these frameworks.  

• Strengthening partnerships with littoral states:  The Committee noted that India has fostered diplomatic relationships with all 35 littoral countries (countries with a coastline bordering the Indian Ocean) of the region except Comoros, Somalia, and Yemen.  The Committee recommended that a comprehensive strategic engagement plan be formulated for India’s engagement with each littoral country.  These plans should be flexible, and cater to each country’s priorities.  For instance, with island nations such as Maldives and Seychelles, the focus should be on enhancing maritime security. ; It also recommended developing a strategy to align India’s policies for the Indian ocean and Indo-Pacific regions.

• Bilateral and multilateral diplomacy:  India actively participates in various multilateral groups in the region.  These include the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), BIMSTEC, and the Quad.  The Committee observed that India’s approach has remained fragmented and has not fully leveraged these platforms to advance its
  interests.  It recommended: (i) increased coordination within and between Ministries, (ii) financial and technical commitments, and (iii) periodic assessment of outcomes.  The Committee also recommended expanding membership in IPOI and enhancing the functioning of the IORA.

• Security threats:  The Committee noted several security threats in the Indian ocean region, including the growing influence of China, piracy, and narcotics trafficking.  The Committee observed that current efforts are insufficient to address these issues.  It recommended: (i) enhancing awareness of the maritime environment by integrating advanced technologies, (ii) upgrading naval capabilities, (iii) intelligence sharing and joint patrolling, and (iv) strengthening India’s coastal surveillance infrastructure. 

• Environmental cooperation:  The Committee observed that the Indian ocean region has rich marine resources.  This presents opportunities to further the blue economy, which includes sustainable fisheries, marine biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, and eco-tourism.  It highlighted the importance of integrating sustainability into India’s maritime strategy.  It recommended aligning the Indian Ocean strategy with global environmental priorities.  It also recommended introducing Green MAHASAGAR, to coordinate efforts with other littoral states for protecting marine biodiversity, reducing marine pollution, and adopting climate-resilient practices.

• Establishing an inter-ministerial task force:  The Committee observed that there is currently no dedicated inter-ministerial mechanism to streamline various dimensions of India’s strategy for the Indian ocean.  It recommended creating a task force involving key Ministries to address coordination gaps and to effectively allocate and utilise resources.  The Committee also recommended creating a centralised coordination mechanism within the Ministry of External Affairs.