The Challenge of Security in the Indian Ocean in the 21st Century: Plus ça change...?

Abstract

Contrary to the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, the Indian Ocean has not so far developed an overarching security system that could meet the challenge of maritime security. Based on the findings of a research project, the paper provides an analysis of the current post-Cold War security environment in the Indian Ocean in the perception of leading members of its epistemic community: Is the current security environment in the Indian Ocean conducive for the development of a maritime security system as suggested in the literature? Is there any real interest in such ventures? And, is the Indian Ocean perceived as a 'region' at all? This paper argues that all these questions have to be answered in the negative for the time being.