Strategic-maritime triangle in the Indian ocean: an emerging Indo-US naval entente?
- 2018
- p.305-325.
The increasing Chinese naval presence in and around Indian ocean, coupled with the rise of the home-grown Indian Navy and the US naval dominance over the global commons, has brought about a strategic maritime triangle in the Indian Ocean. This article looks into the evolving role, capacity and objectives of the Indian, Chinese and US Navy vis-�-vis their strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region. The article argues that the ascendency of China�s naval prowess in Indian Ocean will prod India to opt for a tactical naval entente with the USA. Few impediments to the potential formation of a close-knit Indo-US partnership like India�s fear of losing strategic autonomy, its aversion in being an east Asian naval power, US�Pakistan ties and the difference in the Indian and USA�s interpretation of the concept of �Freedom of Navigation� have been discussed. The article contends that an effective Indo-US naval cooperation will depend on how these impediments are taken into considerations within the make-up of their partnership. - Reproduced.
Indian ocean Indo-US naval co-operation International relations