Indian Ocean Region: Geopolitics and Security

TOPIC CLASSIFICATION

Subject: International Relations - Geopolitics - Maritime Security
Sub-topic: Indian Ocean Region (IOR) - Geostrategic Importance (Sea Lanes of Communication - SLOCs, Energy Routes, Chokepoints), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA - 1997), Major Players (India, China - String of Pearls, US - Diego Garcia, UK - BIOT, France - Réunion), Chokepoints (Strait of Malacca, Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, Six Degree Channel, Sunda Strait, Lombok Strait), China's Presence in IOR (PLA Navy - Blue Water Navy, Djibouti Base, Gwadar Port, Hambantota, Sittwe, Ream Base - Cambodia), India's Maritime Strategy (SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region, Indian Navy's Role, INDIAN OCEAN as 'Area of Peace', Andaman & Nicobar Command, INS Viraat - decommissioned), Maritime Security Threats (Piracy - Somalia, Sea lanes security, Drug trafficking, Illegal Fishing, Climate Change - Rising Sea Levels, Cyclones), Quad and Indo-Pacific (Maritime Domain Awareness - IPMDA), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Blue Economy, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius - India's Maritime Neighbourhood
Mains GS Paper-II: International Relations - Indian Ocean Region - geopolitics, security challenges, and India's strategic response.

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EXAMINER REASONING

The Indian Ocean is central to India's security and prosperity - 90% of India's trade by volume and 80% of...