Countering China's Rise in the Southern Indian Ocean
Abstract
As one of the world's five oceans and third largest, the Indian Ocean stretches for more than 6,200 miles between the southern coasts of Africa and Australia, bordering over 24 countries and hundreds of millions living near its coasts. Sea lanes of communication and trade in the Indian Ocean are considered among the most strategically important in the world. More than 80 percent of the world's seaborne oil trade transits through the Indian Ocean and its choke points. The Indian Ocean is the focus of a strategic power competition and possible dominance of the sea lanes of communication in the region. Also, the Indian Ocean is home to one of the United States' most important bases, Diego Garcia. This base is located on the island of Diego Garcia in the United Kingdom-managed archipelago of British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), also known as the Chagos Archipelago. While France, the United States, and the United Kingdom have a presence in the Indian Ocean, Chinas increasing influence in the Indian Ocean sets up a sea-based sphere of competition with India, in addition to Chinas and India's land-based disputes. The United States presently remains largely absent from the Southwestern Indian Ocean, with the exception of the U.S. base on Diego Garcia, the occasional U.S. naval visit to Seychelles, and the small U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius. With current-day minimal U.S. fleet presence, no U.S. Air Force presence, and minimal U.S. diplomatic presence in the Southern Indian Ocean, there is a void in U.S. military and diplomatic presence.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 27, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1177448
Entities
People
- Jennifer A. Barr
Organizations
- Marine Corps University