Contest for the Indian Ocean

 The July 2025 issue of Asia Policy contains a book review roundtable of Darshana M. Baruah's book titled The Contest for the Indian Ocean and the Making of a New World Order (Yale University Press 2024).  The focus of the book is great power competition and the role of the island countries in the Indian Ocean.

The roundtable consists of the following brief discussions:

--Power Asymmetry and Competition in the Indo-Pacific: The Island States of the Indian Ocean by Frederic Grare.

--Prioritizing the Indian Ocean in the Indo-Pacific by Nilanthi Samaranayake.

--The Agency of Island States in the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean by Isabelle Saint-Mezard.

--The Island States Have Agency in the Contest for the Indian Ocean--But How? by Pradeep Taneja.

--Opening, Broadening, and Deepening the 'Geo' in the Geoppolitics of the Indian Ocean by Sanjay Chaturvedi.

--Author's Response: Reframing the Indian Ocean Debate by Darshana M. Baruah.

Is France Upping Its Game in the Horn of Africa?

 The Emirates Policy Center published on 17 February 2025 an analysis titled "Macron in Djibouti and Ethiopia: Is There Anything New in France's Approach to the Horn of Africa?"

As France struggles in West and Central Africa, it is trying to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa as witnessed by Emmanuel Macron's recent visit to Ethiopia and Djibouti.  So far, there is no clear indication of a major shift in France's approach to the Horn, where Paris focuses on security and economic engagement.  

China-India Competition in the Indian Ocean as Seen by Vietnamese Scholars

 The Journal of Liberty and International Affairs published in July 2023 an article titled "Competition of Strategy between China and India in the Indian Ocean Nowadays" by Tran Hoang Long, Tran Thi Hai Yen, Huynh Trong Hien, and Tran Xuan Hiep.   

The four Vietnamese scholars conclude that China has advantages in the Indian Ocean region, although its presence raises may doubts about its political and military goals.  In the face of competition with China, India has become more flexible and responsive in its Indian Ocean policies as witnessed by its relations with the Maldives and Sri Lanka.  The competition between India and China presents opportunities and challenges for coastal states in the Indian Ocean region.  The competition may also result in a race for military power in the region.  

China Steps Up Influence in Western Indian Ocean

 The Australian Institute of International Affairs posted on 16 October 2023 a commentary titled "China's Western Indian Ocean Step Up" by Kate O'Shaughnessy, Perth USAsia Centre and former Australian high commissioner to Mauritius and Seychelles and ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros.

China has been steadily building its presence in the Western Indian Ocean.  Beijing has the largest diplomatic presence in Seychelles and is the largest foreign donor in the Comoros.  France and India are watching this development with concern.  

China-India Competition in the Indian Ocean

 The Stimson Center's South Asian Voices published on 31 May 2023 an analysis titled "India's Evolving Maritime Strategy" by Allah Nawaz.

India has moved from a policy of "using" Indian Ocean waters to "securing" them.  China's rise and increased interference in India's perceived sphere of influence pushed New Delhi to modify its strategy in the Indian Ocean.  In response to China's "string of pearls" theory, India is pursuing a "necklace of diamonds" approach.

China-India Naval Competition in Western Indian Ocean

 Swarajya published on 9 November 2022 an article titled "India Deploys P-81 Aircraft at France's Reunion Island for Third Time in Three Years as China Increases Presence in Western Indian Ocean."

The Indian Navy deployed a maritime surveillance aircraft to France's overseas department of Reunion in the Western Indian Ocean for the third time in four years.  These deployments are driven in part by China's growing naval presence in the region since 2008.

India in the Western Indian Ocean

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative published on 20 April 2018 an analysis titled "Islands as Game Changers in the Indian Ocean" by Darshana M. Baruah, research analyst at Carnegie India.

The author concludes that although India has traditional ties with most of the island states in the Indian Ocean region, it has failed to leverage its strategic advantages. India's military strengths lie in the northern and eastern Indian Ocean; it has operational limitations in the western Indian Ocean where it is trying to improve its position in Seychelles and Mauritius.