The Indian Ocean Region: People, Connect and Culture

By : Sudhir Singh

Page No: 307-321

Abstract
Indian Ocean have been an identity of India since ancient times. It stretches from the Horn of Africa to the shores of Australia. Indian Ocean is mentioned frequently in the Vedas-exclusively in the Rigveda, which is earliest among Vedas and was composed roughly 4000 to 5000 years ago. Indian Ocean connects India to all seven seas of the globe and facilitates India’s civilizational and economic connectivity since ages. Indian Ocean is full of minerals and other natural assets which could propel our stage of growth further. In ancient times, Indian emperors used it to connect with the people outside our periphery. The Chola kingdom had one of the earliest navy fleets. In the changing global order and security architecture when, China is negating the legitimate rights of littoral countries of South China and East China Sea to establish its own crafted hegemony over Asia, Indian Ocean has become more significant. India is already 4th global GDP and slated to be 3rd global economy by 2030 with $ 7 trillion economy. India is all set to add fresh trillion dollars in its economy every 11 months. In this prevailing scenario, the safety of the sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean is paramount for India. India under current dispensation is working well but we need to reformulate our policies to cope up with the evolving challenges.

Author
Dr. Sudhir Singh has taught Politics and International Relations at Dyal Singh College, University of Delhi for last 25 years.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JIOS.2025.33.03.3