Charting the Waves: India's Maritime Power and Evolving Security Priorities

The Indian Navy appears to be undergoing a churn. As a key security arm, the Indian Navy has sought to be actively engaged in achieving and further advancing India’s multifaceted maritime interests. The Indian Navy’s role at the recent Operation Sindoor, albeit with limited participation, has proven the vitality of forward presence in deterring traditional war escalation, while successfully influencing land events and the outcome of the war. Furthermore, a long spate of naval modernisation and commissioning of indigenously developed assets have characterised India’s maritime security preparedness. Notably, the Indian Navy is on a path of bolstering India’s deterrence capabilities by way of commissioning nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), with ongoing plans to further induct more such assets, strengthening India’s nuclear triad. Given the complex roles played by navies, the Indian Navy, too, has significantly advanced India’s diplomatic outreach by way of pursuing naval diplomacy, enhancing interoperability, exchanging best practices, and enhancing overall maritime synergies with navies of like-minded countries. However, the Indian Navy continues to grapple with challenges of coping with an evolving maritime order, China's creeping advances in the Indian Ocean, and insufficient budgetary allocation. 

In light of the complex maritime security challenges confronting India, the November edition of ORF’s monthly National Security Dialogue seeks to examine and understand the Indian Navy’s multifaceted efforts to advance India’s maritime interests and priorities.

Driving Questions

• How is the Indian Navy continuing to address the complex maritime security challenges confronting India?
• Is there a systemic strategy that appears to be driving India’s naval modernisation?
• What are the key areas that require critical attention in enhancing India’s naval prowess?