EVOLVING DYNAMICS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN: PROSPECTS AND THE WAY FORWARD

Evolving dynamics of the Indian Ocean: Prospects and the way forward edited by Vijay Sakhuja and Raghavendra Mishra, brings together a relevant and diverse collection of papers and presentations made at the National Maritime Foundation's Annual Maritime Power Conference 2014. The title itself presents an arduous task considering the complexities and diversity of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This region, which dates back approximately 5000 years, represents about 36 per cent of the global population and operates in an amalgam of competitive socio-economic priorities and strategic security concerns. Divided into 18 chapters, the book discusses the current strategic landscape of the IOR and how these dynamics possibly shape the space for the future. It also reflects on other sub-themes of the abovementioned conference, namely, the nature of strategic competition in the IOR, and reflects on approaches to address this competition for influence and control, which created the backdrop for a valuable discussion on evolving frameworks of co-operation around security in the IOR.