Question

Explain in detail the importance of Indian Ocean to India.

Answer 1

1. India has the control and strategic location in the Indian Ocean. Therefore, India’s economic and national interests are linked with the Indian Ocean.
2. From economic point of view, India’s trade with neighbouring countries is dependent on the Indian Ocean. Indian Ocean provides major sea route connecting Middle East, Africa and East Asia with Europe and America. India’s import of mineral oil mainly comes from Gulf countries. 
3. The sand on the beaches along the Arabian Sea is rich in valuable minerals like uranium. India has offshore deposits of mineral oil at Bombay High in the Arabian Sea. Abyssal plains of the Indian Ocean have deposit of polymetallic nodules. These nodules are source of nickel, copper, manganese and cobalt.
4. India has developed very good trade relations with countries of east due to its location along the Arabian Sea. Trade volumes with ASEAN countries are increasing every year. The Indian market has emerged as one of the largest importers of South East Asian goods. India also has Free Trade Agreements with Singapore and Thailand.
5. The northern area of the Indian Ocean is the area of great significance in economic and strategic terms. With expansion of India’s export and import, India is forecasted to become one of the three fastest growing economics in the world.
6. Due to heavy trade, through Indian Ocean, the incidences of piracy, armed robbery and maritime terrorism are on the rise and therefore, defence work in the Indian Ocean have increased.
7. To keep the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, free from superpower rivalry and increasing cooperation among littoral countries in the region has always been India’s foreign policy goal. For example, Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation, Ganga-Mekong Cooperation, etc.