Maritime Security Dilemmas: The Indian Ocean Islands and the Quest for Regional Stability

This publication examines the maritime security challenges facing Small Island Developing States in the Western Indian Ocean, arguing that these nations function as "large ocean states" governing 30% of the world's oceans through their Exclusive Economic Zones. The analysis explores how island nations like the Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles confront complex transnational threats including narcotics smuggling, irregular migration, illicit fishing, and piracy, while managing critical shipping lanes carrying 40% of global seaborne oil.
The paper identifies three key challenges: capacity constraints that prevent independent responses to sophisticated maritime crimes; a militarization dilemma where necessary international naval support risks transforming the region into a great power competition arena; and inadequate protection of critical maritime infrastructure, particularly submarine cables and renewable energy installations. Regional cooperation mechanisms like the Regional Maritime Security Architecture face limitations, notably the absence of key states like the Maldives and Sri Lanka due to mischaracterization as "African" rather than "Western Indian Ocean" initiatives.
The research advocates for embracing maritime identity in international forums, strengthening diplomatic mechanisms like SHADE and CGIMA, and elevating critical infrastructure protection on security agendas to achieve effective ocean governance.