Friends and fellow researchers, I’m excited to share my latest book chapter, “Securing the Tide: The Grand Design of Aspiring India for the Indian Ocean,” recently published in Contemporary Strategic Concerns: Making India’s Presence Felt.

This chapter explores a critical yet under-discussed question: Can India assert and sustain its role as the net security provider in the Indian Ocean amid China’s expanding maritime footprint?

With China's "String of Pearls" strategy becoming increasingly visible from Djibouti to Gwadar to Hambantota, India's traditional sphere of influence is under pressure. My chapter examines how India is responding through its Indo-Pacific vision, SAGAR doctrine, naval modernization, and strategic partnerships with countries like France, the U.S., and Australia.

Some key arguments I make:

• The Indian Ocean is not just a theatre of competition, it is India’s strategic backyard.
• India's geographical centrality, combined with its maritime diplomacy, gives it a structural edge over China, despite Beijing's economic weight.
• SAGAR, IORA, IONS, and emerging logistics agreements are not symbolic, they represent India’s blueprint for regional leadership.
• A truly multipolar Indo-Pacific depends on India's ability to deny dominance, not merely counterbalance it.

📚 I'd love to hear your thoughts on:

• Can India’s current maritime strategy match the pace of China’s advancements?
• How effective are India’s strategic island outposts like the Andaman & Nicobar Command in deterring Chinese movements?
• Is economic diplomacy as important as military presence in this maritime chessboard?

Please feel free to read the full chapter: Chapter Securing the tide

Let’s engage! 👇 #India #China #IndianOcean #IndoPacific #MaritimeSecurity #Geopolitics #SAGAR #ResearchDiscussion #StrategicStudies