Recently, China sent a new navy fleet for escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.
Significance of WIOR
- Strategic & Geopolitical: Connects key sea lanes linking the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
- It includes important chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and Mozambique Channel.
- Energy Security: Strait of Hormuz carries around 20 % of global oil shipments.
- Economic: The total “ocean asset base” of the WIOR is at least USD333.8 billion.
- Gateway to Africa: Acts as a bridge between Asia and Africa.
- For India:
- Indo-Pacific Cooperation: Strengthen India’s engagement with countries such as France and others.
- Net Security Provider: Engagement with WIOR enhances its influence.
- Blue Economy: Central for Deep Ocean Mission.
Challenges in WIOR
- Rising Chinese Influence: China is using policies like “debt-trap diplomacy” to increase its influence. E.g., China’s military base in Djibouti and Gwadar port in Pakistan
- Emerging Maritime Threats: E.g., maritime piracy, illegal carrying of weapons, drug trafficking, etc.
- Conflicts: E.g. Conflicts in Yemen (Houthis Militias)
- Other: Non-traditional (E.g., Environmental threats driven by climate change), etc.
India’s Measures to Protect Its Interests in WIOR
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