India’s Maritime Core Interests

While the maritime doctrine was published by the Indian navy in 2004 and improved upon in 2007, the core interests identified were as seen through the prism of the navy. The national maritime interests of India are distinctly different from the ones identified by the Indian navy and need to be analysed to understand the nuances and the dimensions of such interests so as to promote India’s maritime power potential. The paper seeks to identify these core maritime interests and suggests a synergised approach for bringing all the stakeholders under a common umbrella to provide the necessary impetus for nation building and to provide leverages when required. Such a process would enhance India’s national status as a maritime power of eminence in this century of the seas.