IN India’s Maritime Power: New Directions India is undergoing a strategic shift in how it views and develops its maritime power. Beyond traditional naval strength, the focus is now on becoming a comprehensive maritime power that balances security, economic growth, regional influence, and sustainability. Here’s a structured breakdown of the new directions in India’s maritime power strategy: > Integrated Maritime Strategy India released its latest maritime doctrine titled “Ensuring Secure Seas”, which emphasizes: Deterrence and sea control Maritime domain awareness (MDA) Coastal and offshore security A stronger focus on Indo-Pacific regional dynamics > Focus on the Indo-Pacific The Indian Ocean is now part of the broader Indo-Pacific vision, aligning India with global powers like the US, Japan, Australia, and ASEAN. India is strengthening maritime ties through: QUAD cooperation Maritime fusion centers (e.g., IFC-IOR in Gurugram) Joint exercises like Malabar, Milan, and RIMPAC