The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) plays a crucial role in international trade, bordering Asia, Africa, and Australia. India, at the heart of this region, focuses on enhancing security along its 7,500-km coastline. Recent diplomatic efforts by India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Malaysia, aim to strengthen ties with key IOR stakeholders like Malaysia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Oman. India’s naval diplomacy, highlighted by joint exercises and strategic partnerships, underscores its commitment to a rules-based maritime order in the IOR.
India’s engagement with Malaysia and Oman, strategic partners in the IOR, emphasizes the importance of maritime cooperation and defense-industrial frameworks. The recent economic package for Seychelles and naval training support for Sri Lanka demonstrate India’s efforts to maintain stability and neutrality in the region. Through initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and upcoming naval exercises like MILAN 2026, India showcases its evolving regional strategy and commitment to fostering security and growth in the IOR.
