The South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO) region can be defined as the nautical area where the African sovereign island states of Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, and Madagascar are strategically located- southwest of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), adjoining the eastern/south-eastern coastline of the African continent. In the post-Cold War era, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) experienced instability exacerbated by weak government structures and the littorals’ limited capacity to control the maritime domain.

Rise of security threats in the South-West Indian Ocean:

• Piracy: The SWIO region is connected to the prominent Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and the troubled waters off the coast of Somalia, where international piracy and sea-borne terrorism rise at a rampant rate.
• Region for power tussle: Given its strategic importance, most rising powers like China have significant footprints in the region and thus potential threats to the autonomy of the SIDS in the region. This has also made the islands in the region fearful of being used as pawns in the great power competition.
• Marine environment protection: As a region of the busy SLOCs, the region is exposed to oil spillages, plastic pollution and thus impacting the marine ecosystem and environment as a whole.
• Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUU): This phenomenon impacts the economic resources of the SIDS in the SWIO and makes them dependent on assistance from foreign nations.
• Climate change: Coastal areas across the Indian Ocean region are likely to see a continuous rise in sea levels (3.7 millimeters annually), resulting in severe coastal erosion and frequent flooding in low-lying areas.
• Impact of declining multilateralism: The decline of multilateralism and multilateral institutions has led to a lack of accountability among states in responding to global challenges thus leaving the region vulnerable to disasters.

India’s engagement with the SIDS in the SWIO: As part of its commitment to South-South Cooperation (SSC) and its growing profile as a regional power, India has demonstrated its capabilities and willingness to assist them in dealing with common maritime and developmental challenges. These include:

• Information dissemination on smuggling and trafficking: In 2018, New Delhi launched the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) to better address challenges like illegal fishing, drug smuggling, and human trafficking. The government also approved the National Maritime Domain Awareness Project, which will provide “actionable intelligence” to deal with maritime threats.
• To tackle climate change: India has served as a leading player by spearheading various climate-related initiatives, like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• Promoting island diplomacy: Initiatives such as Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and the Colombo Security Conclave engage senior officials of the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India.
• Medical assistance during the pandemic: Through SAGAR, the Indian Navy also provided medical assistance teams and food aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and is a testimony to New Delhi’s humanitarian outreach.
• Engaging through Indian Ocean Commission: Institutionalized in 1984 and as the sole sub-regional organization of Africa composed exclusively of SIDS (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, the French overseas region of Reunion, and Seychelles). India being an observer actively engages with the IOC to raise awareness about the specific challenges that developing islands face especially Security, Climate and Biodiversity, and Economy.

While most of India’s engagements with these island states so far have been bilateral, multilateral engagement is gaining traction. This presents India with an excellent opportunity to distinguish itself from China and play a more constructive role in the SWIO region.