The Indian Ocean: Traditional Security, Non-Traditional Security, and Smaller States

Event Report

NIICE organised its 18th Dialogue Series titled “The Indian Ocean: Traditional Security, Non-Traditional Security, and the smaller states” with Nilanthi Samaranayake, Visiting expert, United States Institute of Peace as the keynote speaker, on 23rd September 2024, Monday.

The event was focused on regional security in the Indian Ocean.  The dialogue promised to offer expert insights into: Traditional and Non-Traditional challenges and the strategic significance of smaller states, and the impact of U.S. alliances and regional partnerships.  This event offered a thought-provoking discussion on Indian Ocean regional security, tackling both conventional and unconventional issues. It highlighted the strategic role of smaller states and provide insights into U.S. alliances, regional collaborations, and the complexities of great power rivalries in the Indian Ocean region.

At the event, Nilanthi Samaranayake, a Visiting expert from the U.S. Institute of Peace emphasized the importance of the Indian Ocean region amid rising global attention to the Indo-Pacific. The Indian Ocean, home to 33 countries and about 2.9 billion people, is crucial for global trade, with significant economic implications for both regional and extra-regional countries like Nepal. She highlighted the dual nature of security challenges in the region, including traditional issues like power competition between India and China, and non-traditional threats such as climate change and human trafficking. Smaller states in the Indian Ocean often navigate these dynamics with limited resources, seeking to maintain sovereignty while managing relationships with larger powers.

She further noted that despite the region’s strategic significance, U.S. policy documents have offered limited guidance specifically for the Indian Ocean. However, U.S. objectives appear to focus on ensuring freedom of commerce, maintaining military access, and supporting regional stability, particularly through cooperation with allies like India. The address also underscored the interconnectedness of traditional and non-traditional security issues, advocating for greater regional collaboration on challenges like illegal fishing and environmental security. Initiatives like those from organisations such as NIICE are crucial for understanding and addressing the complex security landscape of South Asia and the Indian Ocean.