Brief Note On The Economy And Geo-Economic Importance Of Indian Ocean

THE GEO-STRATEGIC AND GEO-ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF INDIAN OCEAN IN THE 21ST CENTURY WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON MAJOR MARITIME USERS

“ Let us not shrink from pitting a broad self – interest against the narrow self-interest to which some would restrict us …… Let us start with the fundamental truth, warranted by history, that the control of seas and especially along the great lines drawn by national interest or national commerce is the chief among the merely material elements in the power and prosperity of nations. It is so because the sea is the world’s great medium of circulation…… ”

Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan.

INTRODUCTION

1. Indian Ocean is the 3rd largest ocean in the world to the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. It is bounded: from

There is an argument among the many of scholars and statement regarding the doubt whether the Indian Ocean can be considered as important region in the global context. Since Indian Ocean region became an important zone and the countries of Indian ocean have identified as strategically and Economically important in 21st century world powers eye have focused on this region. Therefore Indian Ocean region became one of a demanded zone in the Geo political, Economic and strategic aspect. Geographically, Indian Ocean region countries are in ring shape other than Australia. 25 states in Asia and with 21 states in Africa all together H6 littoral countries and 11 hinter land countries are connected to each other with axis of sea line communication and air or land route. That was the main reason of world powers have visualized this region as a single unit which they would be using to full fill based on their strategically and Geopolitical

Rear Admiral Mahan’s philosophy on strategic impotency on ocean have enhanced importance of Indian ocean from 20th century. Discovery of major oil fields in Persian Gulf-Arabian Peninsula have increased strategic value of the region with vast Industrial development and growth. Due to the involvement of a world powers and regional actors to the Indian ocean region like united states, India, China, Japan, Australia and Russia, strategic importance of the area have increased.

7. Due to the strategic value of Indian ocean region , presently can observe increasing of Naval presence of the US based on their interest with several purposes. These interest by the EU and western countries to the Indian ocean benefited to continue rise of Economies in India, China an East Asian countries with rapid speed. Strategic interest in acquiring energy have effected to an expansion of International oil gas exploration increasing, trade development and create way to cooperation an competition all over the Indian ocean region. Following choke points have played vital role to enhance the static value of the Indian ocean: In the west cape of good hope and Mozambique channel , In the north west through Suez canal , Red sea and Bab el mondeb strait , In the east , via the strait of Malacca and in the centre exit and entry from the Persian Gulf via Hormuz