indian ocean region

The United States, India, France, and other major players all share interests in the Indian Ocean, making the region geopolitically important. While some of these countries developed policies that prioritized and engaged with the island nations that call the region home, the United States focused its priorities elsewhere. The recent security deal between China and the Solomon Islands only further demonstrates China’s growing presence as the main competition for the United States in the region. President Biden’s first trip to Asia since taking office starts tomorrow, and the stage is set for him to emphasize the United States’ commitment to reprioritizing the region.  

Darshana Baruah, a fellow in Carnegie’s South Asia Program where she leads the Indian Ocean Initiative, joins Doug to unpack the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean region. 

Follow Doug on Twitter @DouglasLFarrar. 

1. Darshana M. Baruah. (2022, May 2). “The Strategic Importance of the Indian Ocean.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The Indian Ocean is the lynchpin in India's Indo-Pacific vision. Some 80% of global seaborne trade passes through the Indian Ocean Region, including critical energy supplies for both India and China. The past decade has seen significantly expanded Chinese presence in the IOR, upping the stakes for India in its maritime back yard.

To break down the political, economic and strategic dimensions of this challenge, Armchair Strategist is joined by Dr Joshua T White from SAIS, Johns Hopkins University and Non-Resident Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Darshana Baruah, visiting fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and non-resident scholar with the Carnegie endowment for international peace.

Follow Dr Joshua T White on Twitter: @joshuatwhite
Follow Darshana Baruah on Twitter:@darshanabaruah
Follow Ritika Passi on Twitter: @ritika_passi
Follow Angad Singh on Twitter: @zone5aviation

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