The Indian Ocean Pivot: Geopolitical Stakes in the Indo-Pacific

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has become a crucial area in global geopolitics, serving as the maritime centre of the Indo-Pacific. With important trade routes, energy corridors, and strategic chokepoints, the IOR is now a battleground for competition among major powers, particularly India, China, and the United States. This chapter examines the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the region, with a focus on maritime security, infrastructure diplomacy, and shifting alliances. India’s maritime vision and strategic initiatives, such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), position it as a key player in shaping the regional order. At the same time, China’s expanding naval presence and the U.S.-led strategies in the Indo-Pacific highlight the region’s increasing strategic significance. Multilateral mechanisms, like the QUAD and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), are examined as tools for regional cooperation and balance. The chapter advocates for a rules-based and inclusive approach to managing the future of the Indian Ocean, emphasizing the necessity of strategic stability and multilateral engagement in the face of growing rivalries.