India's Maritime Diplomacy
International Relations
- PYQs5
- Articles1
Background
UPSC frequently asks about India's foreign policy, strategic partnerships, and the role of its armed forces in projecting influence and securing national interests. Maritime diplomacy is a key component of India's engagement with the global community.
India's foreign policy increasingly leverages its naval capabilities for diplomatic outreach, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Maritime diplomacy involves using naval assets for goodwill visits, joint exercises, and humanitarian assistance to build trust, strengthen bilateral relations, and project India's soft power.
Facts & tables
- Objective
- To foster friendship, cooperation, and mutual trust, and project India's maritime heritage and soft power.
- Instruments
- Port calls, joint exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, training exchanges.
- Strategic Importance
- Enhances India's influence in the Indo-Pacific, strengthens bilateral ties, and contributes to regional stability.
- Guiding Principle
- Often underpinned by the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family).
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | International Relations |
| Conceptual area | Geopolitics & International Conflicts |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Indian Navy | Implements |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Naval assets used for diplomatic outreach.
- Aims to build trust, foster cooperation, project soft power.
- Includes port calls, joint exercises, HADR.
- Key to India's Indo-Pacific strategy.
- Guided by 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
Timeline
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International Relations
Conceptual area
-
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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INDIAN NAVY’S TALL SHIP INS SUDARSHINI ARRIVES IN BALTIMORE, USA
India's maritime diplomacy uses naval assets for international engagement, fostering cooperation, projecting soft power, and securing strategic interests, exemplified by goodwill visits like INS Sudarshini's.
See also
Past papers
2017–2026 · 4 questions
In the news
INDIAN NAVY’S TALL SHIP INS SUDARSHINI ARRIVES IN BALTIMORE, USA
India's maritime diplomacy uses naval assets for international engagement, fostering cooperation, projecting soft power, and securing strategic interests, exemplified by goodwill visits like INS Sudarshini's.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):
1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among the navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The inaugural IONS was held in February 2008 in New Delhi, India. The Indian Navy served as the Chair for the first two years (2008-2010). Statement 2 is correct. IONS is indeed a voluntary initiative that aims to promote maritime cooperation among the navies of countries bordering the Indian Ocean. It provides a platform for discussions on regional maritime security issues and fosters friendly relationships between participating nations.
Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct?
1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.
Select the answer using the code given below :
* Statement 1 is incorrect: Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023 was a joint military exercise between India and Sri Lanka. * Statement 2 is correct: The ninth edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” commenced in Aundh (Pune). * Statement 3 is correct: The Scope of the exercise includes synergizing joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. * Statement 4 is correct: 15 personnel from Indian Air Force and five personnel from Sri Lankan Air Force participated in the exercise.
Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ?
1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
2. IMT Trilateral Highway
3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Correct: The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project connects the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with the Sittwe seaport in Myanmar by sea, and then links Sittwe to Mizoram in India via river and road. Since Myanmar is an ASEAN member, this project is a key component of India's connectivity with the ASEAN region under its Act East Policy. Statement 2 is Correct: The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in India with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar. Both Myanmar and Thailand are ASEAN members, making this highway a flagship project for India-ASEAN physical connectivity. Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line is an international railway project connecting Agartala in Tripura, India, with Akhaura in Bangladesh. Since Bangladesh is not a member of ASEAN (it is a member of SAARC and BIMSTEC), this project falls under India-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation, not India-ASEAN cooperation. Therefore, the correct option is A.
The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this visit ?
1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg
2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation
3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific
4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: During the visit, an MoU was signed to strengthen cooperation in traditional medicine between Gujarat Ayurveda University and German institutions. (An earlier MoU in late 2025 was agreed upon between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, not the University of Hamburg). Statement 2 is Correct: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Youth Hockey Development was officially signed between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation. Statement 3 is Correct: The two nations announced the establishment of a new bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific, alongside a Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue. Statement 4 is Incorrect: Following the Chancellor's focus on Gujarat, Germany announced the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Ahmedabad to foster closer cooperation in the western region, rather than in Lucknow. Since the question asks for the statements that are not correct, statements 1 and 4 fit the criteria. Therefore, the correct option is B.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative' Mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement I is correct: Several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, have established diplomatic relations with Israel. * Statement II is incorrect: The Arab Peace Initiative, mediated by Saudi Arabia, was endorsed by the Arab League but not signed by Israel. It outlines a path towards peace in exchange for Israeli concessions, but Israel has not formally accepted all its terms.