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Parliamentary Panel Proposes Urgent Overhaul of India’s Indian Ocean Strategy to Counter China

It urges government departments to respond to its proposals for bolstered sea power, high-tech monitoring, policy coordination, partnership expansion, ecological diplomacy.

Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar arriving at Port Louis after completing a joint surveillance drill with National Coast Guard (NCG) Mauritius on 30 April, 2025 | ANI
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has broadly identified three challenges in the IOR -- geopolitical, maritime security threats and infrastructure and connectivity gaps. (Pic used for representation)
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Overview

  • The Shashi Tharoor-led committee presented its 130-page report in Lok Sabha on August 11, calling for swift action to address China’s growing Indian Ocean footprint.
  • The panel warned that China’s expanding naval capabilities and a deepening China–Pakistan maritime nexus pose substantial risks to India’s national security and regional balance.
  • It recommended modernising India’s naval deterrence with upgraded anti-submarine warfare ships, nuclear-powered submarines and AI-driven satellite surveillance for enhanced maritime domain awareness.
  • The report proposes institutional reforms including an inter-ministerial task force and a comprehensive review of SAGAR and MAHASAGAR frameworks to eliminate policy overlaps.
  • It calls for deeper engagement with Quad partners and Indian Ocean littoral states alongside a Green MAHASAGAR environmental initiative and strengthened cultural diplomacy.