Power Play in the Indian Ocean: A Threat to Regional Stability

Abstract

The evolving international order and changing security dynamics have pushed both regional and extra-regional powers into more of a complex security framework. The security dilemma of the existing international world order can be stated in terms of anarchy. It is the existence of anarchy due to which states pursue self-interest which ultimately sets the stage for power play. The same scenario seems to have arisen in the IOR. The rising economic and geopolitical significance of the Indian Ocean by featuring the strategic moves of India, China, and the US; as well as the impact of these moves on the security of the overall region demand attention. This needs to be analysed with regards to the impact of three contentions i.e. the India-Pakistan security dyad, the competitive economic rivalry between China and India, and the third contention in terms of China and the US. Furthermore, the end result of power play in the Indian Ocean can be studied under two dimensions i.e. break up of conflict or strategic competition between the regional players and in the context of the states whose interests are at stake by the shift of power balance in the region.