India's Ocean The Story of India's Bid for Regional Leadership [Hardcover]

This book assesses Indias role as a major power in the Indian Ocean. Many see the Indian Ocean as naturally falling within Indias sphere of influence but, as this book demonstrates, India has a long way to go before it could achieve regional dominance. The book outlines the development of Indian thinking on its role in the Indian Ocean and examines Indias strategic relationships in the region, including with maritime South Asia, the Indian Ocean islands, East Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australia. The book then discusses Indias ambivalent relationship with the United States and explores its attitude towards Chinas growing power in the Indian Ocean. It concludes by discussing the regions evolving strategic order  does India have what it takes to become the leading power in the region?

1. The Indian Ocean as a strategic entity 2. The evolution of Indian strategic thinking about the Indian Ocean 3. Strategic competition with China in the IOR 4. Strategic competition and cooperation with the United States in the IOR 5. Indias special role in the Southwest Indian Ocean 6. Indias opportunities in East Africa and the Northwest Indian Ocean 7. India in the Northeast Indian Ocean 8. India and Australia in the Indian Ocean 9. India as an Indian Ocean power

'What happens in the Indian Ocean will define Indias strategic future, and that in turn will do a great deal to set Asias course in the Asian Century. David Brewster gives us a perfect guide to the forces shaping Indias role in the Ocean that bears its name. It is a lucid, lively, comprehensive and judicious account of one of the central strategic questions of our times.' Professor Hugh White, Australian National University

'A knowledgeable India hand, David Brewster explores India's maritime ambitions and provides an incisive assessment of its potential to wield influence across the Indian Ocean region. AmidlS5