Analysing India’s Naval Development Strategy

Abstract

Under the premiership of Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a renewed focus on maritime interests, especially in its broader foreign policy. As the country envisions a key role for itself in extended oceanic waters, its Navy is undergoing a comprehensive modernisation plan that could enable it to dominate maritime activities at least in the Indian Ocean (IO). While it pursues acquiring blue water naval capabilities, India‟s maritime posture has been gradually shifting from mere selfdefence to pre-eminence. Through such enhanced capabilities, the Navy presumably seeks to pursue a set of different objectives that include performing missions of deterrence, creating an Indian-led maritime environment, and ensuring preparedness to engage in possible military conflicts. This article is an attempt to understand India‟s evolving maritime thinking and how „Indo-Pacific‟ as a new regional construct is designed to complement the country‟s naval ambitions.