India’s naval presence has grown significantly across the Indo-Pacific and the Persian Gulf, reflecting its ambitions to become a key player in regional security. With over 221 naval deployments spanning 18 countries in 2023-24, New Delhi has quietly positioned itself as a maritime power balancing security cooperation, strategic influence, and economic interests.
While China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and the Red Sea crisis have drawn global attention, India has systematically expanded its naval footprint—leveraging warships, strategic port calls, and military exercises to build alliances and protect trade routes. These deployments not only underscore India’s military reach but also demonstrate its role as a stabilising force in contested waters.
A Strategic Naval Footprint
The Indian Navy’s dual-pronged approach—expanding its presence in both Southeast Asia and West Asia—has positioned it as a critical player in maritime diplomacy. The eastern fleet, responsible for the Bay of Bengal, Indo-Pacific, and South China Sea, has intensified port calls in countries wary of China’s maritime claims. Meanwhile, the western fleet has deepened engagements in the Persian Gulf, securing vital shipping lanes at a time of rising geopolitical instability.
Between January and December 2024, Indian warships made at least 41 port visits across Oman, Djibouti, Iran, Bahrain, and the UAE—a signal of deepening security cooperation with Gulf nations. The most striking aspect of India’s naval presence in the region has been its deployment of 18 warships across critical maritime chokepoints, including the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. These operations align with Operation Sankalp, India’s largest naval effort to safeguard commercial shipping amid heightened threats from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
In parallel, India has stepped up its engagement with Southeast Asia, with port visits in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines. The deployment of INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan to the South China Sea in May 2024 marked one of India’s most assertive naval signals in the region, reinforcing its commitment to a rules-based maritime order amid growing Chinese assertiveness.
Countering China’s Maritime Influence
Beijing’s increasing naval footprint in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has driven India to rethink its maritime strategy. With China deploying research vessels, militarised coast guard ships, and even aircraft carriers, India’s counterbalance has come in the form of joint patrols, naval exercises, and strategic partnerships with ASEAN nations.
The India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT), which concluded its 43rd edition in December 2024, underscores India’s long-term commitment to maritime security in the region. Likewise, India’s naval presence in the Malacca Strait—a key conduit for global trade—has seen an uptick in bilateral naval exchanges with Malaysia and Singapore.
By deepening maritime engagements with Vietnam and the Philippines, two nations at the forefront of territorial disputes with China, India is reinforcing its role as an alternative security partner. INS Kesari’s port visit to Jakarta in December, where Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi held discussions with his Indonesian counterpart, reflects this shift in strategic priorities.
Soft Diplomacy at Sea
Beyond security partnerships, India’s naval diplomacy includes significant soft power elements. The Indian Navy’s participation in International Yoga Day celebrations in Indonesia, cultural exchanges with Gulf nations, and military training programs with Southeast Asian allies highlight its broader diplomatic strategy.
While the United States and its allies remain the dominant security players in the Indo-Pacific, India is carving out a space for itself as a regional stabiliser—one that offers military cooperation without the baggage of an overt security alliance. This balance allows India to maintain strategic autonomy while strengthening its influence in regional security affairs.
Economic and Strategic Implications
India’s naval diplomacy is closely linked to its economic ambitions. With trade routes in the Indian Ocean Region facilitating nearly 90% of India’s total trade by volume, ensuring the safety of sea lanes is crucial for its economic stability. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, has been a particular focus, with India maintaining a near-continuous naval presence in the Persian Gulf.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy’s expanded logistics presence in Oman’s Duqm port—which hosted 16 operational turnarounds in 2024 alone—reflects its evolving power projection strategy. India’s ability to sustain extended deployments and respond rapidly to maritime threats is increasingly seen as a measure of its military and economic resilience.
Future Outlook: The Indian Navy as a Net Security Provider
India’s expanding maritime footprint signals a long-term strategy to cement its role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East. With growing military engagements in Southeast Asia, enhanced naval coordination in the Persian Gulf, and a proactive presence in the Red Sea, New Delhi is positioning itself as an indispensable regional actor.
As the US-China rivalry intensifies and regional conflicts threaten global trade, the Indian Navy’s sustained deployments will be crucial in ensuring stability in some of the world’s most contested waters. With a careful blend of power projection and strategic partnerships, India’s naval diplomacy is no longer just about securing its waters—it is about shaping the balance of power in the broader Indo-Pacific.
Aritra Banerjee is a defence & security columnist.