Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace (IOZOP) only has theoretical value and its practice can be detrimental to India’s interests.

Civil Services Main Examination

General Studies (Paper - 2) : Model Question & Answers


Indian NavyQuestion: “Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace (IOZOP) only has theoretical value and its practice can be detrimental to India’s interests.” – Critically evaluate.

Answer: (1) The Indian Navy claims to be a net-security provider in the region but it faces a lack of capacity in the region. It is given assistance by other big naval powers. Lack of proper infrastructure & finances has weakened India's stance.

(2) A danger from an Indian standpoint is lack of US interest in the Indian Ocean Region due to shale revolution. The US is retreating from the Middle East as the flow of energy from the Persian Gulf has reduced. This implies that American withdrawal from the region would increase the presence of other states to fill in the vacuum created. The UK would revive its maritime presence in Bahrain and further militarise IOR.

(3) If India declared IOZOP, Pakistan would propose for a denuclearized Indian Ocean as Pakistan does not have strategic ballistic missile capable submarine that can counter India’s Naval Power. Hence India would have to first denuclearize on moral and political grounds to prove its interest in IOZOP.

(4) India's concern about China posing a threat in IOR is not fully convincing as Beijing’s proposal for a maritime silk road is supported by Maldives and Sri Lanka. Other states of IOR would not support India on the ZOP concept. .

Hence, if IOZOP is declared India will stand to lose because its proposal will be seen as a ‘backdoor’ manoeuvre to limit the Chinese presence and its failure to fulfil the responsibility of leadership in the IOR.

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