Special Lecture at PU

Chandigarh July 2, 2019 

The Department of Defence and National Security Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh organised a special lecture on the theme “Importance of the Indian Ocean Region in the world politics” by Vice Admiral H. S. Malhi (Retd.), AVSM, VSM, Former Fleet Engineer Officer of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy and former Chairman and Managing Director of the Mazagaon Dock Ltd. Mumbai, here today in the department 
premises. 

        In the lecture, Admiral Malhi explains the significance of Indian Ocean and the challenge posed by the increasing presence and influencing of China in the Indian Ocean. Emphasising the importance of Indian Ocean, he points out that it is the third largest ocean in the world along with the 2.6 billion littoral states’ population. It connects Africa to the East Asia through the South Asia. Majority of the oil and trade supplies of the world passes through the sea lanes of communication (SLOC) of this Ocean. This region would remain the geopolitical hotspot of the 21st century considering its importance.  He also mentioned famous naval strategist Alfred Mahan 
who said that whosoever controlled the Indian Ocean would control the Asian continent. 

All the major world powers like Portuguese, Dutch, Britisher and now the US controlled all the strategic points in this ocean to control the trade. 
     

  He said that India adopted continental approach after its independence because majority of foreign invasion it faced via land border not through the sea. It did not aspire to be regional power and pursued policy of non-alignment. It recognized the importance of this region only in the 1970s. In the 1980s, India Showed its involvements in the countries like Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Maldives.   

        While highlighting China’s dependence on its trade passing through the Indian Ocean, the Admiral discussed how China has stepped up its presence in this ocean by deploying its naval assets in the Indian Ocean and construction of several ports in various countries located here. China has pursued it with high enthusiasm after start of it One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative. He also discussed the importance of the straits of Malacca and how its proximity from the Andaman and Nicobar Chain of Islands 
puts India in a strategic position from where it can dominate the trade passing through this choke point. Lastly, he also discussed the various roles and responsibilities of the Indian Navy in the military, diplomatic and constabulary domains. He advised the India to have close relations with the Indian Ocean littoral states prevent them falling squarely in the lap of China.

The lecture was attended by members of various faculty members, serving and retired armed forces officers pursuing various courses in the department, research scholars and students. The lecture was followed by a questions and answers session with the audience.

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