The Indian Ocean Politics

What is Indian Ocean? It is the third largest 'inverted W-shaped' ocean in the world, bifurcated by the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Comprising an area of 7, 49, 17, 000 square kilometers, it has 47 hinterland and littoral states and touches many continents. Navigation in the Indian Ocean is supposed to have started as early as 2300 B.C.

It provides round the year navigation due to its tropical location and has enormous marine wealth. More than two-thirds of the world's oil reserves literally make its waters boil with the heat of international geopolitics.

In this fascinating study, the author has not only discussed the different paradigms prevalent in the study of International Affairs, but has also surveyed the literature available on the subject of the Indian Ocean politics. An in-depth study of the Super Power rivalry, the Indian interest in the Indian Ocean and the international efforts to convert it into a Zone of Peace makes this book a welcome and a valuable addition to the subject.

He was born in Sitapur (U.P.) on 17th September, 1947. He stood first class first in M.A.(Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology) in Allaha bad University and was awarded a gold medal. He obtained the Degree of Ph.D. from Barkatullah University, Bhopal and D. Litt. from Vikram University, Ujjain in Political Science.

He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1970. He has served in various capacities with the Government of India, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. He has served as Collector, Rajgarh, Collector Ujjain, Director, Sericulture, Commissioner, Higher Education, Commissioner, Rewa Division and Commissioner, Archaeology and Museums, Madhya Pradesh. At present he is posted as Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayat, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh. He was nominated to do a course on Development Policy in Glasgow University, U.K.

His published works include "Tribal Development in Madhya Pradesh-A Planning Perspective", "Hashiye Par Admi" (collections of poems), "Ujjay ini", "Indore", "Bhartiya Sikkon ka Itihas", "Raisen-Itihas aur Puratattva", "The Art of Malwa-Hinglajgarh" (in press).

The present work is the revised and updated version of my post-doctoral thesis submitted for the award of D.Litt. degree to Vikram University, Ujjain.

In recent years the Indian Ocean region has been accorded enormous importance. Important developments in the region have been a constant concern for the affected states which include the Super Powers and India. One reason why scholars - particularly those specialising in international relations, strategic studies, and foreign policy - have increasingly begun to think in terms of an Indian Ocean region is because the policy makers themselves are approaching issues in that area in a more comprehensive fashion.

The present work is an attempt to examine the various issues and problems raised and discussed within the framework of the Indian Ocean region. It begins with a preliminary quest for a feasible methodology of dealing with theoretical aspects formulated for the concept of an Indian Ocean region. It reviews and assesses the available literature in the relevant field of study.

The chapter on Super Power interests in the region ex plores the major political and other factors at work and tries to bring out the different phases and strategies adopted by the Super Powers to maintain their stronghold in the area.

The study also takes into account the political objectives of India in the Indian Ocean region and analyses India's options regarding its security problems. It then moves on to examine the proposals for a peace zone as enunciated and developed by the regional states.

**Contents and Sample Pages**