1、 Strengthening Delhis Strategic Partnerships in the Indian Ocean Darshana M.Baruah INTRODUCTION The Indian Ocean region(IOR)is a critical juncture of the wider Indo-Pacific.It is one of the most crucial trade corridors that links the Middle East,Europe,Africa,South Asia,and Southeast and Northeast A
2、sia.As outlined by the Indian Ocean Rim Association(IORA),the Indian Ocean is“home to nearly 2.7 billion people carrying half of the worlds container ships,one third of the worlds bulk cargo traffic,and two thirds of the worlds oil shipments.”1 After the Cold War,the In-dian Ocean remained relativel
3、y peaceful,with minimal geopolitical competition.India and the United States have been the primary actors in the theater and largely accepted each others presence and operations.After the Cold War,Washington welcomed a greater Indian role,with thenU.S.Secretary of Defense Robert Gates encouraging In
4、dia to be a“net provider of security in the Indian Ocean and beyond.”2 However,as China continues to expand its presence and deepen its engage-ments across the Indo-Pacific,there is a new geopolitical competition emerging in the Indian Ocean.While India perceives a growing Chinese presence as compet
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