India's Maritime Diplomacy in Southeast Asia
International Relations
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
This concept is crucial for understanding India's foreign policy objectives, its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region, and its strategic competition and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. It reflects India's growing naval capabilities, its commitment to regional stability, and the showcasing of indigenous defence technology as a soft power tool.
India's maritime diplomacy in Southeast Asia is a crucial component of its foreign policy, aiming to foster strategic partnerships, ensure regional security, and promote economic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, aligning with its Act East Policy and SAGAR vision.
Facts & tables
- Act East Policy
- Successor to Look East Policy, focusing on extended neighbourhood in Southeast Asia and the Pacific for strategic and economic engagement.
- SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
- India's overarching vision for maritime cooperation, security, and economic development in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Naval Diplomacy Tools
- Includes port calls, joint naval exercises, professional exchanges, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
- Strategic Importance
- Securing sea lanes of communication (SLOCs), countering piracy, and balancing regional power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | International Relations |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Indian Navy | Implements |
| Ministry of External Affairs | Formulates |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- Integral to India's Act East Policy.
- Aims for regional security, stability, and economic cooperation.
- Involves naval deployments, joint exercises, and port calls.
- Reflects the SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
- Showcases India's indigenous defence capabilities and reliability.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Factual recall, Policy measures |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Policy measures |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2015 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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International Relations
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Factual recall, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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INDIAN NAVY’S EASTERN FLEET SHIPS UDAYGIRI, KAVARATTI, AND SHAKTI ARRIVE AT SATTAHIP, THAILAND
India's maritime engagement in Southeast Asia, driven by the Act East Policy and SAGAR doctrine, leverages naval deployments and cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties, ensure regional stability, and project India's strategic influence, often showcasing its indigenous defence capabilities.
See also
Past papers
2015–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
INDIAN NAVY’S EASTERN FLEET SHIPS UDAYGIRI, KAVARATTI, AND SHAKTI ARRIVE AT SATTAHIP, THAILAND
India's maritime engagement in Southeast Asia, driven by the Act East Policy and SAGAR doctrine, leverages naval deployments and cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties, ensure regional stability, and project India's strategic influence, often showcasing its indigenous defence capabilities.
Try these PYQs
India is a member of which of the following?
1. Asia-Pacific economic corporation.
2. Association of South-East Asian Nations.
3. East Asia Summit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): India is not a member of APEC. Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN): India is not a member of ASEAN, but it is a part of ASEAN6. East Asia Summit: India is a member of the East Asia Summit. Therefore, out of the given options, India is only a member of the East Asia Summit.
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.
With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements:
1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills
2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. IOR-ARC is a regional cooperation initiative of the Indian Ocean Rim countries. It was established in Mauritius in March 1997 with the aim of promoting economic and technical cooperation. IOR-ARC is the only pan-Indian ocean grouping. It brings together countries from three continents having different sizes, economic strengths, and a wide diversity of languages, cultures. Statement 2 is incorrect. It aims to create a platform for trade, socio-economic and cultural cooperation in the Indian Ocean rim area. The Indian Ocean Rim is rich in strategic and precious minerals, metals and other natural resources, marine resources and energy, all of which can be sourced from Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), continental shelves and the deep seabed.
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.
Show 3 more PYQs
What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?
India signed a deal to develop the Chabahar port with Iran. Apart from the bilateral agreement between India and Iran, a trilateral transit and trade corridor deal was also signed by India, Iran and Afghanistan which would ensure easy movement of goods between the three countries, bypassing Pakistan. The Chabahar port is situated in South Eastern part of Iran and on the northern coast of Gulf of Oman It is surrounded by Afghanistan in the North, Pakistan in the North-East and India in the East. The location of the Chabahar port is of strategic importance to India in linking trade routes from the Indian Ocean to Afghanistan, Central Asia and also to Europe; thereby avoiding a land route through Pakistan.
Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries?
* India signed the ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with Russia. * India and Russia have a long-standing strategic partnership in the field of civil nuclear cooperation. * The agreement aims to enhance collaboration in areas such as nuclear fuel cycle management, nuclear power projects, and research in nuclear science and technology. * Russia has been a key partner in India's nuclear energy sector, particularly through Rosatom, which has been involved in building Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu. * Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States have also engaged in nuclear cooperation with India but were not part of this specific agreement.
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All 6 participants of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation are member countries bordering the basins of the Mekong and Ganga rivers, aiming to collaborate on various initiatives. These countries are: - India - Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam Hence, China & Bangladesh are not part of the Mekong-Ganga Corporation.