India’s strategic vision: Imprints of K.M. Panikkar’s arc

ABSTRACT K.M. Panikkar’s understanding of India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean highlighted the strategic dots of Socotra and Indonesia, which were a part of a larger game plan of a “strategic arc”. His idea of Socotra and Indonesia was based on the linkage between the two strategic sea lanes of communication. In the present context, Panikkar’s strategic arc has been readopted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new vision, which aims to pave the way for India to engage in friendly ports so as to create a network of strategic ports for defence and civilian purposes. This article endeavours to understand Panikkar’s “strategic arc”, traced from the east coast of Africa to the island of Sumatra. Further, it analyses how Panikkar’s strategic arc has been realigned and reinvigorated in the present scenario from Oman to the islands of Indonesia, which helps in furthering India’s economic interests as well as protect its strategic well-being. The article concludes by offering a set of policy recommendations based on Panikkar’s strategic arc and how these could be inculcated within the larger framework on India’s security and maritime policy.