In a strategic move to bolster maritime domain awareness and enhance coastal security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India has taken significant steps by establishing a maritime support base in Oman’s Duqm port and creating an air support facility in the north Agalega Islands of Mauritius. These initiatives aim to strengthen the security of friendly nations in the face of China’s expanding naval presence in the region.
The maritime support base in Duqm port, Oman, has already become operational. Its primary functions include the maintenance and repair of Indian ships, as well as providing berthing, fuel, and rest facilities for Indian Navy vessels operating in the vicinity and beyond. This base will play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests and ensuring its naval assets remain operational.
Simultaneously, India has constructed an airstrip in the northern Agalega Islands of Mauritius, situated approximately 1,050 kilometers north of Port Louis. This facility not only aims to provide maritime security for Mauritius but also serves to protect its vital tourism assets in the region. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnath of Mauritius is expected to inaugurate the facility to the public in December. The Indian Navy is also preparing to deploy around 50 officers and personnel to manage the airstrip, which will have the capability to handle advanced surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, such as the Boeing P-8I.
These strategic moves have been prompted by the increasing presence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the Indian Ocean Region. National security experts estimate that PLAN’s Carrier Strike Forces may begin patrolling the IOR by 2025-26, with China rapidly expanding its surface and subsurface naval assets. Recent data indicates a rising number of Chinese vessels entering the Indian Ocean, including PLA Navy ships, satellite and ballistic missile tracking ships, scientific research vessels, and surveillance ships. This increased activity underscores the need for India to be vigilant about Chinese naval operations not only in its waters but also in its allies’ territories.
China’s maritime activities in the Indian Ocean include deploying surveillance and scientific research vessels in areas such as the Bay of Bengal, the South Indian Ocean, the north of Agalega Islands, and the Persian Gulf. Additionally, China has established naval bases in the region, notably in Djibouti. The number of Chinese ships and warships entering the Indian Ocean through key straits, including the Malacca, Sunda, Lombok, and Ombi-Wetar straits in Indonesia, has grown significantly. This necessitates India’s increased role in providing coastal and maritime security not only for its interests but also for its key allies in the Persian Gulf and South Indian Ocean.
As India strengthens its maritime presence in Oman and Mauritius, it aims to foster regional stability and safeguard critical maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean, ensuring the security of its allies and maintaining a balance of power in the strategically vital region.
This strategic move aligns with India’s commitment to preserving regional peace and security while countering potential threats in the Indian Ocean.
Sources By Agencies
