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India, making waves in the Indian Ocean

India, making waves in the Indian Ocean

  • Angus Maddison's research in The World Economy: Historical Statistics (2003) asserts India as the largest economy globally in the first millennium, holding about 33% of the world's GDP.
  • It began to decline with external invasions and colonisation and touched a low point during the British era in the 18th and 19th century.

Naval Dominance and Economic Prosperity

  • Indian rulers' control over oceans contributed significantly to economic prosperity and dominance in the first millennium.
  • They established trade with the Arab lands in the West and ventured into South China Sea territories, crossing the Malayan Peninsula in the East.
  • Kautilya's Arthashastra talks about the functions of officers like port commissioners and harbour masters, highlighting the importance attached to maritime activity in ancient India.
  • The Board of Shipping was one of the six important departments of the Mauryan empire.

European Maritime Conquest

  • European powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British, gained dominance in the seas during the second millennium, disrupting Indian maritime control.
  • The Portuguese declared themselves "Lords of the Sea," initiating European colonization of Indian shores.
  • Despite maritime prowess, British colonial rule in India did not prioritise naval development, focusing more on land-based warfare.
  • Post-independence, India's neglect of maritime potential led to lagging in shipbuilding and naval strength compared to global counterparts.

Lack of Strategic Vision

  • Diplomat K M Panikkar warned about the Indian Ocean's importance, but the Indian leadership failed to recognize and harness its potential.
  • Despite initiatives like the Indian Ocean Rim Association in 1997, India's focus remained primarily westward.

Shift in Global Power Dynamics

  • The 21st century witnessed a shift in global power from the Pacific-Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific, with the Indian Ocean region gaining prominence.
  • The Indo-Pacific emerges as a geopolitical construct, highlighting India's neighbourhood as a pivotal area.
  • From the Persian Gulf to the Straits of Malacca, this vast expanse of water is the world’s third-largest ocean covering over 74 million square kilometres.

Significance for India

  • The Indian Ocean serves as India's lifeline, facilitating 80% of external trade and 90% of energy trade.
  • Additionally, the Indian Ocean maritime trade routes are the crucial supply chains managing almost 70% of the world’s container traffic.
  • The Indian Ocean, with its vast expanse and historical connections, symbolises a civilization beyond mere maritime geography.
  • India's cultural and civilizational influence has spread across the region over millennia.

India's Proactive Engagement in the Indian Ocean Region

  • India hosts the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, Australia, aiming to address common non-traditional challenges like climate change and natural disasters.
  • There is an emphasis on collaborative efforts to tackle shared challenges rather than traditional security-related divisions.

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