Indian Presence in Agalega Island: New Initiative for Peaceful and Free Indian Ocean Region

Abstract

Significant dynamic shifts have been noticed in the geopolitical setting of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), specifically about India’s strategic positioning in response to China’s growing influence. A vital element of this change has been a greater focus on the Agalega Islands. This study analyses the geopolitical changes in the IOR due to India’s strategic positioning in juxtaposition with China’s increasing influence, explicitly focusing on the Agalega Islands. India’s engagement with Agalega is a reaction to China’s extensive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and a means to safeguard its maritime interests. The study examines the historical context of Agalega, emphasising its strategic significance due to its proximity to critical maritime routes and vulnerability to geopolitical instability. The paper also highlights the potential economic and security consequences by identifying the critical maritime choke sites in the IOR. This statement clarifies the importance of the IOR in international trade, highlighting its crucial role in the transportation of energy resources and its strategic value for both regional and global stakeholders. The research encompasses the broader geopolitical rivalries in the Indian Ocean, emphasising the Islands’ importance in the competition between China and India. The paper concludes by analysing the contribution of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in promoting regional cooperation amid these dynamic geopolitical powers.