Special Lecture on “Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean Region” by Vice Admiral H. S. Malhi (Retd.) at DDNSS

Chandigarh, April 22, 2019: The Department of Defence and National Security Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh organised a special lecture on the theme “Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean Region (I.O.R.)” by, Vice Admiral H. S. Malhi (Retd.), AVSM, VSM, Former Fleet Engineer Officer of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy and former Chairman and Managing Director of the Mazagon Dock Ltd. Mumbai, here today. Explaining the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean Region, Admiral Malhi explained how the Indian Ocean holds a significant impact in the world geopolitics as most of the trade passing through the IOR is extra-regional, thus any disruption in the trade flowing on the sea lanes of communication (S.L.O.C.) passing through the IOR will have implications for nations across the globe. Despite being the biggest landmass jutting in the Indian Ocean, India historically has maintained a continental mindset due to the repeated invasions it faced from the land routes. Some of the most important economies of the present era, Japan and China are majorly dependent for their oil supplies on transit via the I.O.R. Indian Ocean has seen the deployment of warships from the navies of major world powers from time to time. In the 19th Century, the Britishers established their control over the Indian ocean region as they tried to establish their rule over the Indian Subcontinent. The Ocean was the route through which they brought their troops and supplies for their subsequent expeditions for the conquest of the subcontinent and beyond. In the 20th century they had control over Aden in the western end of the Indian Ocean to the Singapore, south of which is the Straits of Malacca, located in the Eastern End of the Indian Ocean. During the World War Two, the responsibility of the protection of the allied shipping from attacks by German or Japanese submarines in the Indian Ocean rested with the Royal Navy. In the initial years of its independence India did not aspire to become a regional superpower or maintain control over the Indian ocean as we at that time were part of the non-aligned movement. Our faith was in the concept of universal brotherhood and our aspiration to become the moral and spiritual leader of the world was the lynchpin of our non-aligned policy. After experiencing a huge jolt in the form of the 1962 India-China war, it took us a couple of decades to take the responsibility of big a key naval power in this region. As part of Operation Cactus, India used its navy in an out of area contingency and reinstated the legitimate leadership of Maldives in the year 1988. Keeping in mind the economic progress that we have achieved in the past few decades, today we possess the wherewithal to be considered a major naval power in this part of the world. While highlighting China’s dependence on its trade passing through the Indian Ocean, the Admiral discussed how China has stepped up its presence in this ocean by deploying its naval assets in the Indian Ocean and construction of several ports in various countries located here. He also discussed the importance of the straits of Malacca and how its proximity from the Andaman and Nicobar Chain of Islands puts India in a strategic position from where it can dominate the trade passing through this choke point. Lastly, he also discussed the various roles and responsibilities of the Indian Navy in the military, diplomatic and constabulary domains. The lecture was attended by members of various faculty members, serving and retired armed forces officers pursuing various courses in the department, research scholars and students. The lecture was followed by a questions and answers session with the audience.