India as an Indo-Pacific power has miles to go

Context: India should be assertive in the maritime domain to become an Indo-Pacific power

Essential attributes to become a maritime power

• Geographical factor: A country should have adequate access to the sea to become a maritime power. E.g. British was able to beat France in Battles of Trafalgar and Nile as Britain has more access to seas; similar is the case of Japanese and Australian maritime success.
• Political factor: People should have the will, and the government should have an assertive mindset to become a maritime power.
  • E.g. Political will helped Britain to win a maritime war in Falklands against Argentina.

India’s rise as a maritime power: is occasioned by the following -

• Strategic understanding of the Indo pacific region: The External Affairs Minister of India identified that Indo-Pacific is yesterday’s reality and the environment is predominantly maritime
  • India had to be a key player in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Plan to create a Maritime Theatre: As advocated by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), comprising the Eastern, Western Naval Commands of Navy and tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command. 
• Geographically in an advantaged position: Well placed with open seas on three sides and island territories to act as force multipliers.
  • India used this advantage to act as “first responders” in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief  (HADR ) scenarios in the northern part of the IOR.

Inherent challenges: leading to lack of assertiveness in the maritime domain

• Inadequacy of aircraft carriers: There is only one operational aircraft carrier in the vast ocean space at present; by 2023 it will reach two when Vikrant, under construction at Kochi, is commissioned.
  • In reality, we need at least three aircraft carriers.
• Lack of muscle with the coast guard.
• Low share for Navy in defence budget:  grew from 13 % to 18 % from 1987 to the early part of this century is now down to 14%.
• Lack of government will: Will was shown last in 1987 when we sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force to Sri Lanka.

Conclusion: India has to make course correction from a continental mindset country to become a maritime power.