ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the evolution of India's maritime strategy. It then examines key drivers shaping India's maritime strategy, by an analysis of its key elements. The chapter deals with an analysis arguing that there is a mismatch between India's maritime ambitions and capabilities. As India's economic and military power rises, there has been greater attention to what India seeks to do in the maritime realm. India straddles a vital piece of maritime real estate, on top of major Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) that connect not only markets to the worlds factory in China but also the source of energy in the Middle East and the major consumers of energy in East Asia. A key driver of India's maritime strategy is the need to build an adequate infrastructure to meet the needs of a fast growing economy that is becoming increasingly economically integrated.