Indian Ocean Region: Challenges and Opportunities

Regarding the 48th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP48)

For the first time in nearly fifty years of COLP's history, the conference is taking place in the Indian subcontinent.

The Stockton Center for International Law, U.S. Naval War College, and Gujarat Maritime University are organizing the conference, with assistance from the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Organizer: Historically coordinated by the Center for Oceans Law & Policy at the University of Virginia School of Law (USA).

Goal: To foster discussion on legal and policy matters associated with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), maritime boundaries, navigation rights, and the sustainable utilization of marine resources.

Participants: Officials from the government, delegates from international organizations (such as IMO, ISA, ITLOS), maritime/naval specialists, leaders in the energy and shipping sectors, and academics.

India identified five key focus areas for ocean governance from the viewpoint of developing nations:

Securing food security and livelihoods via sustainable agriculture and fisheries.

Enhancing regional collaboration based on South-South solidarity among nations of the Indian Ocean Rim.

Combining conventional wisdom and inclusive governance with contemporary science.

Advancing climate resilience and nature-based strategies to protect biodiversity.

Harnessing creative funding and enhancing skills for ocean research, technology, and management.

Indian Ocean Area

The Indian Ocean comprises about one-fifth of the entire ocean surface of the planet.

The Indian Ocean is bordered to the north by Iran, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh; to the east by the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia’s Sunda Islands, and Australia; to the south by the Southern Ocean; and to the west by Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Importance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

Geostrategic Significance: The Indian Ocean ranks as the third largest ocean, connecting the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

It encompasses vital maritime chokepoints — Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, Malacca Strait, Lombok Strait — that collectively manage a significant portion of global energy and trade movements.

The IOR serves as a link between the East and the West, positioning it as a key arena for power rivalry among India, China, the U.S., and other significant actors.

Economic Importance: The area accounts for almost 50% of worldwide container movement and 80% of maritime oil commerce.

It is a center for blue economy endeavors: shipping, fishing, seabed extraction, and tourism.

Energy Security: The IOR serves as a crucial pathway for global energy transportation, with oil and gas from West Asia moving to East Asia through its maritime routes.

Nations such as India, China, Japan, and South Korea rely on energy imports, rendering the stability of the IOR crucial.

What has led to the recent rise in emphasis on IOR?

Emergence of New Economies: The rise of India and China has revitalized trade routes in the IOR, making the region a fresh hub for economic growth.

Maritime Security Risks: Piracy, particularly around Somalia, jeopardized international shipping routes and prompted heightened initiatives to protect Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).

Indo-Pacific Framework: The Indo-Pacific unifies the Indian and Pacific Oceans into a single strategic arena and emphasizes the importance of the IOR in influencing emerging global maritime dynamics.

This geographic reimagining boosts IOR’s prominence in international diplomacy and security.

Consequences for Global Structure: Dominance in the IOR can influence: