India's sea lanes are significantly vulnerable to blockade and disruption, especially during a conflict.

This vulnerability stems from India's heavy reliance on a few key maritime chokepoints for trade and energy imports, coupled with the increasing naval presence of rival powers like China in the Indian Ocean.

Chokepoints and Economic Vulnerability-

India's economic and energy security is heavily dependent on the free and safe passage of commercial shipping through strategic maritime chokepoints. These narrow channels are essential for trade but are also high-risk areas susceptible to disruption.

• Strait of Hormuz: This is arguably the most critical chokepoint for India. A large majority of India's crude oil imports pass through this strait, which is bordered by Iran and Oman. A blockade here would have severe economic consequences, potentially driving up oil prices, causing inflation, and impacting India's energy security.

• Bab-el-Mandeb Strait: This strait, located between Yemen and Djibouti, connects the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. A significant portion of India's trade with Europe and the U.S. passes through this route. Recent attacks by Houthi militants in this region have already forced ships to reroute, adding to shipping costs and transit times, which directly impacts India's exports.

• Strait of Malacca: Linking the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea and the Pacific, this is a vital chokepoint for India's trade with East Asia. Any disruption here would affect not only India's trade but also global commerce, particularly for countries like China and Japan.

China's Growing Naval Influence-

The Indian Ocean is becoming an arena of strategic competition, with China's naval expansion posing the most significant threat to India's sea lanes.

• "String of Pearls": China's strategy involves building military and commercial infrastructure in key maritime chokepoints, such as the port in Djibouti and strategic partnerships with countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This provides China with logistical support and an increasing ability to operate in the Indian Ocean, a region India considers its primary sphere of influence.

• Increased Naval Presence: China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean, deploying a growing number of warships, submarines, and surveillance vessels under the guise of anti-piracy missions. This gives China a forward-deployed force that could, in a conflict, pose a direct threat to India's sea lanes.

Indian Navy's Response-

The Indian Navy is well aware of these vulnerabilities and is working to counter them.

• "Net Security Provider" Role: India's naval strategy aims to be the "net security provider" in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This involves an increase in naval patrols, joint exercises with friendly nations (like the U.S. and Japan), and a greater focus on maritime domain awareness (MDA) to monitor all activity in the region.

• Operation Sankalp: Launched in 2019, this operation involves deploying warships to escort Indian-flagged merchant vessels through volatile regions, such as the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Aden, to ensure their safe passage.

• Modernization and Indigenization: The Indian Navy is modernizing its fleet with new warships and submarines, with a strong focus on indigenous shipbuilding. This aims to build a credible deterrent force capable of protecting India's sea lanes and projecting power.

In conclusion, while the Indian Navy is taking concrete steps to address these vulnerabilities, India's sea lanes remain highly susceptible to disruption. The sheer scale of China's naval expansion and the inherent fragility of global chokepoints mean that India's ability to secure its maritime interests is a constant and complex challenge.