How is the Indian Ocean India's ocean?

This chapter discusses India's role in the Indian Ocean and the role that the Indian Ocean plays in Indian foreign policy. In effect this represents a 'look south' policy for developing India's sea power in its extended neighbourhood. read more

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km2. It is bounded by Asia on the north, on the west by Africa, on the east by Australia, and on the south by the Southern Ocean or, depending on definition, by Antarctica. It is named after India. read more

Indian Ocean, body of salt water covering approximately one-fifth of the total ocean area of the world. It is the smallest, geologically youngest, and physically most complex of the world’s three major oceans. read more

India’s Importance in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean holds particular importance for India, as the littoral’s most populous country. Indeed, for the rest of the Ocean’s littoral states, and even those outside the region, India’s leadership role will be important in determining the strategic future. read more