Naval diplomacy in neighbourhood

Policy approaches preferred by the government and the navy in managing relations with immediate maritime neighbours are the subject matter of Chapter 4. Both advocated quite often distinct approaches to the resolution of political crises in the South Asian states abetting the Indian maritime boundaries. While the government mostly preferred political solution to neighbourhood events, the naval community argued for a military option, and vented frustration with the MEA’s “detachment” and “complacency” in managing a civil strife or coup.