Indo-US Naval Cooperation: Geo-Strategic Ramifications for the Region

Rebalancing in Asia and India's strategic location has provided it with the benefit of being key ally of the United States (US). The convergence of interests of the two states culminated into a maritime partnership providing an opportunity to Indian Navy to develop its maritime capabilities for carrying out blue water missions. Such naval build up and alliance formation in the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR) will be counterproductive, creating security dilemma for the regional states by threatening their national and strategic interests. Contrary to the assumption that such a development will create balance of power in the region, there are threats that these developments may cause conflicts, confrontation, and maritime cold war in the region. The study seeks to explore such dangers. It stresses that sustaining peace at sea hinges upon discouraging an arms race in maritime domain and promoting engagement and collaboration.