Question.
Bring out the geopolitical significance of the Indian ocean area. ( 64th BPSC 2019)
Answer.
Geopolitical means having politics for a piece of land or area, especially international politics.
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| Indian Ocean |
The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean after the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The following are the geopolitical importance of the Indian Ocean.
- About 40% of the world's oil reserves are in the Indian Ocean and it is concentrated in the north-western part of the Indian Ocean.
- 80% of the world's crude oil is transported through the Indian Ocean. There are four strategically important chokepoints or straits where most of the maritime trade passes through these straits.
- bab al Mandeb
- Strait of Hormuz
- Straits of Malacca
- Mozambique channel
- Several countries, especially China, Japan, and South Korea, are competing to control the chokepoint. Because entry and exit into the Indian Ocean can be controlled from these choke points.
- One-third of the world's population is settled along the Indian Ocean and it is a huge market for finished goods.
- Many unstable countries are located along the Indian Ocean such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, etc.
- The absence of strong formal groups like ASEAN in the Indian Ocean adds further instability to the region.
- Competition has increased due to China's aggressiveness and expansionist policy to control the Indian Ocean. And major powers like India, America, France, Britain have increased their presence.
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