The Tsars of Russia consistently sought warm water ports in the southern regions to exert control over global trade and attain strategic supremacy. The Soviet Union, with its dominant naval presence in the Indian Ocean, also possessed ample naval infrastructure and a significant fleet in these waters for a long period. Ethiopia and South Yemen provided access to warm water ports in the west, while Kam Rahn Bay in the east was also made accessible. This was done to fulfil Russia’s longstanding goal of gaining convenient control over warm water territories. Under President Putin’s rule, Russia has reemerged as a significant player in the geopolitical and strategic affairs of the Indian Ocean; Moscow recognises the significance of forming alliances in the intricate and multi-faceted global power structure to bolster its economy and geopolitical standing.
The Indian Ocean is a region of significant economic importance and is considered a crucial component of the broader Indo-Pacific geopolitical framework. Russia aims to establish a presence in this region for various purposes, including gaining access to markets and trade routes, safeguarding interests in historical and present territories, and upholding norms such as the freedom of navigation and over-flight exercises. The increase in interest has resulted in the growing military presence of other superpowers in the Indian Ocean region (IOR). Consequently, Russia is attempting to broaden the range of partners it has in IOR. Military exercises serve to highlight the political and diplomatic unity between countries and also indicate the recognition of Russia as a military ally.
The Andaman Sea naval exercises between Russia and Myanmar in November last year were dubbed “the first Russian-Myanmar naval exercise in modern history.” The drill included the participation of two anti-submarine vessels, namely the Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleyev, from the Russian Pacific Fleet and a frigate and a corvette from Myanmar’s navy. The Russian warships arrived at Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port in the Bay of Bengal days after the drill, which is seen as a significant development in Russia-Bangladesh ties. This indicates that Russia’s actions suggest a desire to preserve the impression of being a prominent global power in IOR.
Moscow and Delhi also conducted collaborative naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal from time to time. The purpose of these exercises is to collectively address global challenges and safeguard the security of civilian shipping in the Asia Pacific area. Alongside, the Russian Navy has been actively participating in the international maritime exercises AMAN, which Pakistan is hosting in the Arabian Sea. Pakistani assets, the Alamgir and Aslat, participated in joint naval exercises with the Russian Federation Navy, Admiral Grigorovich, and Dmitriy Rogachov in the North Arabian Sea during the Arabian Monsoon exercises, which encompassed Anti-Surface, Anti-Air Warfare, Maneuvering, and Communication drills.
In addition to its joint operations with countries bordering the Indian Ocean, Russia has also prioritized conducting bilateral exercises with Iran and China in the Western Indian Ocean. In January 2022, naval vessels from Iran, Russia, and China engaged in a collaborative military exercise in the Indian Ocean. Russia has also inked bilateral naval and defence agreements with Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Mozambique, and the Central African Republics since 2017. While Egypt, the Central African Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Sudan have let the Russian Air Force use their airspace, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Sudan have granted the Russian Navy port access.
These exercises also help in making a chance for the sale of Russian military equipment in the future. Russia has been the oldest military supplier to most South Asian countries. Military supplies also remain its most important source of income besides energy trade. Due to the Ukraine crisis, the Russian military industry might not be in a position to sell equipment in the present times. However, Moscow will not want to lose ground in South Asia, one of the fastest-growing regions for arms imports.
Although Moscow has not released any exclusive official document outlining its regional policy for the Indian Ocean, an analysis of key doctrinal papers offers some insights. Russia has focused on certain areas inside and around the Indian Ocean, such as South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It has not mentioned the Indian Ocean as a whole in either its 2015 National Security Strategy or Its foreign policy vision for 2023.
To some extent, The 2015 Maritime Doctrine, which lists the Indian Ocean as one of six regional priority regions in the maritime domain (together with the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific, Caspian, and Antarctic), provides its regional strategy. Strengthening positive connections with IOR states, stepping up Russia’s commercial and other marine operations in the region, and ensuring maritime security through a forward naval presence are among the goals enumerated in the document.
As Russia positions itself as a formidable alternative power, the United States and other states with similar goals must exert greater effort to advance sustainable economic growth, safeguard international regulations and standards, and maintain peace and security in the region. Russian forward naval presence in the Indian Ocean would be intended to monitor US naval activities in the region, much as it did during the Cold War. Regarding China, Moscow will energetically advance its agenda through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the BRICS while subtly challenging Beijing. Ultimately, the Indian Ocean provides a connection to the Antarctic, another region that is becoming increasingly significant for Moscow.
Dr. Gul.i.Ayesha Bhatti
The writer is a current affairs analyst. She can be reached at guleayeshabhatti@gmail.com
