India's Role in Capability Development Measures for Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Under SAGAR

Purpose: The paper looks into India’s growing initiatives around the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) for enhancing maritime cooperation, and how it is enhancing maritime security and governance through capability development measures by providing assistance to the other IOR littoral states. It will also look at the regional mechanism where India is playing a significant role to enhance the capability of regional nations and uphold maritime security and governance in the region.

Methodology: Content analysis has been the primary approach to consolidate the arguments.

Findings: With the ever-growing significance of the IOR, and with India being the region’s major power, it has to work closely with the other littoral states to enhance maritime security in the region. That can be possible through a collective mechanism and by increasing the capability of the other states, as India can provide resources and both military and institutional training. This will help India continue to be the regional security provider amid growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean Region.

Practical Implications: The paper attempts to point out that through capability development, India can uphold its strategic influence and position in the IOR, which is becoming a zone of major power rivalry between India and China.