Indian Ocean Region

Source:  News on Air

Subject: Mapping

Context: The second edition of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR commenced on March 16, 2026, featuring naval personnel from 16 friendly foreign countries.

About Indian Ocean Region:

What it is?

• The Indian Ocean Region refers to the vast maritime area surrounding the Indian Ocean, encompassing coastal states, island nations, and major sea routes connecting Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Location:

• Lies between:
  • Asia (North)
  • Africa (West)
  • Australia (East)
  • Southern Ocean (South)
• It is the third-largest ocean in the world

Bordering Nations: It is bordered by 36 littoral nations (including India, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia) and impacts 14 landlocked countries.

Key Features

1. Strategic Choke Points: It contains critical waterways including the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca, the Bab-el-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal, which are vital for global energy and trade flows.
2. Monsoon System: It is the only ocean with an asymmetric and semi-annually reversing surface circulation driven by the monsoon winds.
3. Abundant Resources: The region holds massive offshore oil and natural gas reserves, particularly in the Persian Gulf, and accounts for a significant portion of the world’s fishing catch.
4. Island Chains: It hosts strategically important island nations and territories such as the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, and Madagascar.
5. Diverse Ecosystems: It contains nearly 25% of the world’s coral reefs and extensive mangrove forests, making it a critical zone for marine biodiversity.

Significance:

• More than 80% of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes through the Indian Ocean, making its security essential for global energy stability.
• As a bridge between the Atlantic and Pacific, it is the center of the Indo-Pacific construct, where major powers (India, USA, China) vie for influence.
• India sits at the apex of the ocean with a 7,517 km coastline, positioning it as a natural Net Security Provider and First Responder in times of natural disasters.