India and Sea Power Politics | Social Issue Essay, Article, Paragraph for Class 12, Graduation and Competitive Examination.

India and Sea Power Politics

Scheme of the Essay

Exposition: After Moscow’s declaration the US targeted it Nuclear missiles at sea.

Rising Action: Coastal zones here gained importance.

Climax:

(1) Turbulent state politics changes the character of sea-based forces for future conflicts.

(2) The Karakorum Highway Plan linking up Iran and Central Asia has given China an opportunity to connect with seaports in the North Arabian Sea.

(3) The sea-based forces of major powers are growing.

(4) South Africa has rooted the idea of the Indian Ocean community Falling Action: Sea Lane and offshore protection for India is essential Ending: The Standing Committee of the Parliament has rightly recommended modernisation projects for the Indian Navy.

In June 1994 the US de-targeted all its strategic nuclear missiles pointed at the former Soviet Union for the first time in thirty-five years. This was in keeping with the Moscow Declaration signed by Yeltsin and Clinton. The missiles will instead be targeted towards the seas. In the transition, world politics has witnessed during this decade, one can also notice the changing strategic perceptions and priorities. The import of sea-based strategic deterrents remains vital to the world. Coastal zones have gained in importance creating a desire in many nations with oceanic surroundings to extend their economic jurisdiction to 200 miles from their shores. However, enormous coastlines provided for easy diffusion of arms and arms-related technology to nations which could destabilise regions where they are situated. The present turbulent state politics and this very diffusion of arms change the very character of sea-based forces for future conflicts or conflicting situations. Much will depend as much on technology as it would on missions undertaken. The best forces which would survive an attack are the elusive submarine fleets. They form the best of deterrent forces. The cruise missiles, high-speed patrol craft hydrofoil craft and semi-submerged craft are weapons that could be constructed at affordable costs.

Today Indonesia, Australia and Japan are modernising their naval plans. China has submarines and nuclear ballistic submarines, missile destroyers, and frigates. It has the largest submarine fleet in East Asia. China has claims over Taiwan, the Senkaku Islands, and the Spratleys in the South China Sea. What provides it with an excellent and credible force in the Asia Pacific are its North-East and South Sea fleets.

The Karakorum Highway plan linking up Iran with Central Asia, Pakistan and China has given Beijing the opportunity to connect China eventually to seaports in the North Arabian Sea. The Strategic importance of this aspect needs to be noted. Not only does it give China access to Trade routes and strengthen its maritime policies but gives it access to ports near Bangladesh borders and the Haingyi Island in the Bay of Bengal, the upgraded radar stations in Great Coco Islands in the North to be taken note of. Andaman group are close enough to India’s coastal approaches

On the economic front, there is going to be competition for resources for the growing population and for maintaining or building the internal strength of a nation. For China, South Asia, West Asia, Africa and Europe major markets are more easily reached through the Indian Ocean than across the Pacific. Japan’s trade too passes through the Indian Ocean. The route is of grave importance to Russia financially than Eastern provinces. using the trans-Siberian railway to transport her goods to the far

The third largest ocean in the world, The Indian Ocean is flanked by Africa, Asia and Australia. More than 30,000 ships and 1,500 thousand tankers pass through the Indian Ocean, Suez Canal and Babel-Mandeb Straits around the Cape of Good Hope, and through the Malacca Straits. Oil and minerals are some of the basic items of export that pass through the Indian Ocean, and are shipped to the US, Europe, and Japan, and some of the minerals are of vital military importance.

The Two most important regions of the Indian Ocean are North West and South East. The Indian neighbourhood stretches from West Asia to South-East Asia an area where major powers exert their influence. This is one Ocean where non-littoral presence is stronger than the littoral presence. The entire Indian Ocean littoral is made up of developing countries except for South Africa and Australia. India is bestowed with an excellent geostrategic location a rapidly developing industrial and commercial base and excellent harbours. All these are the necessary prerequisites to make India a leading maritime power. India has also been awarded a site for exclusive maritime exploitation in August 1987- a 1,50,000 square km site in the central Indian Ocean-the first country to be so awarded.

The sea-based forces of the major powers are growing in strength with China gradually moving into a sea-based mode. Indian national interest will benefit the most by broadening its economic ties with the Indian Ocean countries. Regional blocs of free-trade countries are formed to get increased market access and attract foreign investment. In this perspective the idea of an Indian Ocean community mooted by South Africa is welcome. It must be remembered that the gradual heightening of competition for resources in the Indian Ocean could persist for a long time.

It must be noted that the Indian Ocean has no frontiers to stop the movement of large naval forces which could influence India’s action in many situations from helping maritime neighbours to exploitation of oceanic resources. The common need for security demands a community of action. India needs to work out a good and effective maritime policy to remain alert against sea-based threats. For its expanding trade also sea lane protection is a must. The protection of off-shore assets is an expanding military role.

The Indian Navy-largest of the region’s navies- could undertake the multi-dimensional activities provided they have an updated and balanced force structure. Much of our progress rests on the security of the sea.

It is encouraging that the annual report of the Standing Committee of Parliament on Defence for 1995 has urged the Government to back key modernisation projects for the Navy and procure new aircraft carriers till an indigenously- built ship boarding planes and helicopters is inducted into the naval fleet by around 2003.