Maritime & connectivity.

Iran

WEST ASIA

DEEP

Chabahar Port — India's gateway to Central Asia bypassing Pakistan

Chabahar Port in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province is India's most strategically critical maritime investment. India has invested $500m+ in Shahid Beheshti terminal. Chabahar provides India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia without crossing Pakistan. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) runs through Chabahar. Despite US sanctions, India secured a waiver for Chabahar port operations. India signed a 10-year port management agreement in 2024.

Oman

WEST ASIA

DEEP

Duqm Port — Indian naval access; IMEC logistics node

India has secured access to Oman's Duqm Port for naval logistics — a strategic facility on the Arabian Sea outside the Strait of Hormuz. India-Oman MOU on Duqm gives India's navy access for ship repair and resupply. Duqm is also an IMEC logistics node. Salalah port handles significant Indian container traffic. India and Oman have a bilateral security cooperation agreement covering maritime patrolling of the Arabian Sea.

Sri Lanka

SOUTH ASIA

DEEP

Trincomalee port; Colombo connectivity; Indian Ocean chokepoint

Sri Lanka sits astride the world's busiest Indian Ocean shipping lanes. Trincomalee — one of the world's finest natural harbours — is a focus of India-Sri Lanka-US strategic attention. India and Sri Lanka agreed on joint development of Trincomalee port and tank farms. Colombo Port City (Chinese-built) is a concern; India is pushing for connectivity projects as a counter. India-Sri Lanka maritime security cooperation covers coast guard, hydrography, and EEZ management.

Maldives

SOUTH ASIA

DEEP

SAGAR — island diplomacy; coast guard support; undersea cables

The Maldives is central to India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine. India gifted a coast guard vessel, built harbour infrastructure in Addu Atoll, and funded undersea cable connectivity. India's naval and coast guard aircraft operate from Maldivian bases for maritime surveillance. India-Maldives relations soured in 2023-24 under President Muizzu but maritime security cooperation resumed in 2025. India built the Greater Malé Connectivity Bridge.

Bangladesh

SOUTH ASIA

DEEP

Chattogram and Mongla port access; inland waterways; BBIN connectivity

India has negotiated access to Chattogram (Chittagong) and Mongla ports for trade to India's landlocked northeast — a breakthrough for Act East connectivity. India-Bangladesh inland waterways protocol enables river cargo movement. BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement covers overland connectivity. India and Bangladesh have signed a coast guard cooperation MOU covering Bay of Bengal maritime security.

United Arab Emirates

WEST ASIA

ACTIVE

DP World India operations; IMEC anchor; Jebel Ali as transit hub

UAE's DP World is among the largest port operators in India — operating Nhava Sheva terminal in Mumbai and developing Mundra-related logistics. Jebel Ali (Dubai) handles 25-30% of India's container transshipment. UAE is the anchor partner for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) on the Gulf side. India-UAE maritime security cooperation covers the Arabian Sea and piracy suppression.

Singapore

SOUTH EAST ASIA

ACTIVE

PSA Singapore in India ports; Malacca Strait chokepoint; digital maritime

PSA Singapore operates multiple Indian port terminals. Singapore's position at the Malacca Strait — through which 80% of India's energy imports pass — makes maritime security cooperation critical. India-Singapore maritime MOU covers joint patrolling, hydrography, and naval exercises. Singapore is a hub for India's digital maritime connectivity (undersea cables landing at Singapore serve Indian content). India-Singapore digital corridor is under development.

United States

NORTH AMERICA

ACTIVE

QUAD maritime security; IFC-IOR; freedom of navigation

The US-India maritime partnership operates through QUAD, the Combined Maritime Forces, and the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram — where the US, Australia, France, and other navies co-locate with the Indian Navy. India and the US hold MALABAR naval exercises annually. GSOMIA and BECA agreements enable intelligence sharing on maritime domain awareness. US supports India's position on freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

Australia

OCEANIA

ACTIVE

QUAD maritime; AUSINDEX exercises; Indian Ocean Forum

Australia-India maritime cooperation is a QUAD pillar. AUSINDEX (Australia-India naval exercise) is held biennially. Australia and India co-operate in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). Australian maritime patrol aircraft and Indian P-8I Poseidons conduct joint surveillance of the Indian Ocean. Australia's Darwin and Fremantle ports are relevant to India's Indo-Pacific logistics. Australia-India Maritime Domain Awareness cooperation is expanding.

Japan

EAST ASIA

ACTIVE

JMSDF cooperation; port investment; undersea cables; FOIP

Japan-India maritime security cooperation is extensive. JIMEX (Japan-India maritime exercise) is held annually. Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision aligns with India's SAGAR. Japan has invested in Indian port connectivity — Sagarmala programme and northeast connectivity. Japan-India undersea cable cooperation (JISBA cable system) enhances digital connectivity. Japan's JMSDF and Indian Navy hold anti-piracy and submarine patrols.

France

EUROPE

ACTIVE

La Réunion and Djibouti bases; IOR naval cooperation; IMEC

France has Indian Ocean territories — La Réunion and Mayotte — and a naval base in Djibouti, giving it a permanent Indian Ocean presence. France and India have a maritime security partnership covering the IOR, anti-piracy, and humanitarian operations. France's Scorpène submarines for India (P75 programme) are a defence-maritime pillar. India-France undersea cable cooperation and IMEC engagement are active.

United Kingdom

EUROPE

ACTIVE

BIOT Diego Garcia; IOR naval presence; IMEC and cable cooperation

The UK maintains Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory) — the most strategically significant military base in the Indian Ocean. The UK-Mauritius BIOT sovereignty deal (2024) has created diplomatic complexity. UK-India maritime cooperation covers anti-piracy, naval exercises (KONKAN), and Indian Ocean diplomacy. UK's BII is investing in undersea cable infrastructure relevant to India. UK supports India's IMEC and Indo-Pacific connectivity ambitions.

Seychelles

AFRICA

ACTIVE

Assumption Island — Indian listening post; SAGAR island diplomacy

India has developed maritime infrastructure on Assumption Island, Seychelles — a listening post and logistics hub for Indian Ocean surveillance. India supplies coast guard vessels and patrol boats. India-Seychelles MOU covers joint EEZ surveillance — Seychelles' vast ocean territory (1.4 million sq km) is patrolled with Indian assistance. India has built a Coast Guard Station on Seychelles. Seychelles is central to India's island diplomacy arc from Madagascar to Maldives.

Mauritius

AFRICA

ACTIVE

Agaléga Island naval base; EEZ surveillance; SAGAR pillar

India is developing Agaléga Island (northern Mauritius) as a naval and coast guard facility — providing Indian Ocean surveillance capability 1,000km north of Mauritius. India has built an airstrip, jetty, and barracks on Agaléga. India-Mauritius maritime security MOU covers joint EEZ patrolling. India supplies Mauritius' coast guard vessels and provides annual patrol assistance. Mauritius is a key pillar in India's SAGAR Indian Ocean doctrine.

Indonesia

SOUTH EAST ASIA

ACTIVE

Sabang port; Malacca-Lombok-Sunda straits; IOR maritime dialogue

India has been granted access to Sabang port (Aceh, Indonesia) — the westernmost Indonesian port, strategically located at the Malacca Strait entrance. India-Indonesia maritime dialogue covers the Malacca, Lombok, and Sunda straits — chokepoints for India's energy imports. India and Indonesia have a maritime boundary agreement and coast guard cooperation MOU. Indonesia's vast EEZ (world's largest archipelago) makes it a critical Indian Ocean partner.

Malaysia

SOUTH EAST ASIA

ACTIVE

Port Klang and Penang; Malacca Strait security; FPDA

Malaysia's Port Klang and Penang are key transshipment hubs for Indian trade. Malacca Strait security — through which 80% of India's energy imports pass — makes Malaysia-India maritime cooperation strategic. India and Malaysia hold IMEX (India-Malaysia maritime exercise). Malaysia's FPDA membership (with UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore) links to Indian Ocean security architecture. India-Malaysia maritime boundary is defined and uncontested.

Vietnam

SOUTH EAST ASIA

GROWING

Cam Ranh Bay access; South China Sea partnership; IMEX

Vietnam has granted India access to Cam Ranh Bay — a deep-water facility in the South China Sea. India and Vietnam are natural partners against Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. India has supplied BrahMos cruise missiles and is in discussion for P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. India-Vietnam maritime cooperation covers coast guard training, undersea cables, and joint South China Sea patrols. India has extended credit for Vietnamese coast guard vessels.

Philippines

SOUTH EAST ASIA

GROWING

BrahMos missile sale; South China Sea alignment; Subic Bay

Philippines was India's first export customer for BrahMos cruise missiles — a landmark defence-maritime export. The Philippines' conflict with China over the South China Sea (Scarborough Shoal, Spratly Islands) creates strong alignment with India's freedom of navigation position. India-Philippines maritime cooperation is growing rapidly. Subic Bay is discussed as a potential India navy access point. India is in discussion for BrahMos Block III sales.

Kenya

AFRICA

GROWING

Mombasa port; East Africa trade gateway; anti-piracy cooperation

Mombasa is East Africa's largest port and the gateway for Indian trade and investment into the EAC market. India-Kenya maritime cooperation covers anti-piracy patrols in the Western Indian Ocean and Somali Basin. India provides maritime domain awareness support. India has explored port investment in Mombasa under the SAGAR framework. Indian Ocean coast guard cooperation covers EEZ surveillance.

Tanzania

AFRICA

GROWING

Dar es Salaam port; TAZARA rail-port connectivity; IOR dialogue

Dar es Salaam port handles significant Indian trade into East-Central Africa. India-Tanzania maritime cooperation covers the East African coast and anti-piracy. India is exploring investment in Dar es Salaam port modernisation under the SAGAR framework. Tanzania's TAZARA rail line (Dar to Zambia) creates a port-hinterland connectivity that interests Indian logistics companies. India-Tanzania bilateral maritime MOU is developing.

Mozambique

AFRICA

GROWING

Nacala and Maputo ports; LNG marine corridor; Western IOR flank

Mozambique's Nacala (deep-water) and Maputo ports are relevant to India's southern Indian Ocean logistics. Mozambique's LNG development (Rovuma basin) requires specialist shipping — Indian shipping companies are engaged. India-Mozambique maritime MOU covers coast guard and EEZ cooperation. Mozambique's Indian Ocean coastline (2,500km) and exclusive economic zone are part of India's southern SAGAR arc.

South Africa

AFRICA

GROWING

Cape of Good Hope; Simon's Town naval base; IBSA maritime

South Africa's Cape of Good Hope is an alternative shipping route for India if the Suez Canal is disrupted. South Africa's Simon's Town naval base is the southernmost naval facility on the Indian Ocean rim. India-South Africa IBSA maritime dialogue covers southern Indian Ocean security. India and South Africa hold IBSAMAR naval exercises. South Africa's EEZ covers part of the southern Indian Ocean.

Myanmar

SOUTH EAST ASIA

GROWING

Sittwe port and Kaladan corridor; Act East maritime gateway

The Sittwe port project and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project give India's landlocked northeast direct maritime access via Myanmar to the Bay of Bengal. India developed Sittwe port, the Kaladan River waterway, and a road link to Mizoram. The 2021 coup has severely disrupted the project but India continues to engage with the military government to protect its strategic investment. Sittwe is India's key Bay of Bengal Act East asset.

Thailand

SOUTH EAST ASIA

GROWING

Dawei port and Thailand-Myanmar-India Trilateral Highway; land-sea bridge

Thailand's Dawei port (on the Andaman Sea) is part of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway vision — giving India sea access to Southeast Asia. Thailand's planned Kra Canal or land-bridge (Thai-Malay Canal) would reshape Indian Ocean shipping routes. India-Thailand maritime cooperation covers the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. Thai navy and Indian navy hold joint exercises.

Saudi Arabia

WEST ASIA

GROWING

IMEC Saudi Arabia node; Jubail and Jeddah ports; Red Sea shipping

Saudi Arabia is the IMEC corridor's Gulf node — goods moving from India via sea to Mundra, then overland through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel to Mediterranean ports. Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Port and Jubail Industrial City are key IMEC logistics points. Saudi Arabia's Red Sea position makes it central to India's oil import security. India-Saudi Arabia maritime security MOU covers Arabian Sea patrolling.

Egypt

NORTH AFRICA

GROWING

Suez Canal — 30% of Indian exports; Port Said; IMEC Mediterranean end

Suez Canal handles approximately 30% of India's exports to Europe. Egypt's Port Said and Alexandria are key transit points. Egypt is the western anchor of IMEC — goods from the Gulf traverse the Israeli land bridge and re-enter sea at Haifa, continuing to Greek and Italian ports, before potentially landing at Port Said for Egypt. India-Egypt maritime cooperation covers anti-piracy in the Red Sea and maritime security dialogue.

Djibouti

AFRICA

GROWING

Horn of Africa gateway; anti-piracy hub; India's IOR surveillance

Djibouti hosts major military bases (US, France, China, Japan) and is the Horn of Africa's strategic chokepoint. India does not have a base there but uses Djibouti as a logistics stop for Indian Navy anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. India's INS Sunayna and other vessels operate from Djibouti-area waters. India-Djibouti maritime cooperation MOU is under discussion. Djibouti port handles 95% of Ethiopia's trade — relevant to India's Africa access.

Greece

EUROPE

GROWING

Piraeus port; IMEC Mediterranean node; Greek ship owners and India

Piraeus (Athens) is the Mediterranean's largest port and a key IMEC endpoint. Greek ship owners control the world's largest commercial fleet — critical customers for India's ship recycling (Alang) and increasingly for India's shipbuilding aspirations. India-Greece maritime cooperation is developing within the IMEC framework. Greek LNG terminals are relevant to India's energy supply chain via Mediterranean routes.

Italy

EUROPE

GROWING

IMEC European node; Trieste port; Mediterranean connectivity

Italy is the IMEC corridor's European anchor. Trieste (northern Italy's free port) and Genoa are being positioned as IMEC terminal ports — connecting Indian goods to Central European supply chains. Italy-India maritime cooperation covers Mediterranean security. The Enrica Lexie incident (Italian marines case) was resolved in 2021, clearing the path for full maritime cooperation normalisation.

Madagascar

AFRICA

PILOT

SAGAR island arc; coast guard cooperation; IOR southern flank

Madagascar is part of India's SAGAR southern Indian Ocean arc. India supplies coast guard vessels and provides patrol support. Madagascar's vast EEZ (1.2 million sq km) is of interest for maritime domain awareness. India-Madagascar maritime MOU is developing. Madagascar's location between Mozambique Channel and southern Indian Ocean makes it strategically relevant to India's IOR presence.

Comoros

AFRICA

PILOT

Indian Ocean island diplomacy; coast guard support; SAGAR

Comoros is part of India's Indian Ocean island diplomacy arc. India provides development assistance and coast guard support. Comoros' location in the Mozambique Channel is relevant to maritime security. India-Comoros maritime MOU is developing under the SAGAR framework. India's development assistance covers port infrastructure and coast guard capability.

Fiji

OCEANIA

PILOT

Pacific Island connectivity; India-Pacific Forum; naval engagement

Fiji is India's key partner in the Pacific Island Forum. India has provided development assistance for Fiji's maritime infrastructure. India-Fiji maritime cooperation covers EEZ surveillance and coast guard capacity. India's outreach to Pacific Island states is growing through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). Fiji's location makes it relevant to India's extended maritime neighbourhood concept.

Papua New Guinea

OCEANIA

PILOT

FIPIC; Pacific maritime cooperation; LNG import potential

Papua New Guinea is the largest Pacific Island state — a key partner in India's Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). PNG's LNG exports (ExxonMobil PNG LNG) are of interest to India's energy diversification. India-PNG maritime cooperation is nascent. PNG's extensive Bismarck Sea and Coral Sea EEZ is relevant to Pacific maritime domain awareness. India provides development assistance and ITEC training.

Jordan

WEST ASIA

PILOT

Aqaba port — IMEC land bridge node; Red Sea access

Jordan's Aqaba port is a Red Sea node relevant to IMEC. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor includes a land route through Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Israeli ports — goods from Aqaba can transit to Mediterranean. India-Jordan maritime cooperation is limited but the IMEC framework is elevating Aqaba's strategic significance. Jordan's Red Sea coastline (26km) is small but strategically located.

Bahrain

WEST ASIA

PILOT

US Fifth Fleet host; Arabian Sea; India-Bahrain maritime dialogue

Bahrain hosts the US Fifth Fleet — the primary naval force in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. India participates in US-led Combined Maritime Forces anti-piracy and maritime security operations in Bahrain-coordinated waters. India-Bahrain maritime dialogue covers Arabian Sea shipping security. Bahrain's position at the Persian Gulf mouth is relevant to India's oil import security.

Qatar

WEST ASIA

PILOT

Hamad Port; LNG tanker routes; Arabian Gulf maritime

Qatar's Hamad Port is a modern deep-water facility handling LNG exports critical to India's energy security. India-Qatar maritime cooperation covers LNG tanker route security in the Arabian Gulf. India participates in Gulf maritime security dialogues. Qatar's strategic location at the base of the Persian Gulf makes it relevant to India's energy import security.

Timor-Leste

SOUTH EAST ASIA

PILOT

ASEAN accession watch; Timor Sea; Indian Ocean arc

Timor-Leste is seeking ASEAN membership — a process India supports. Timor Sea oil and gas reserves are of interest to Indian energy companies. India provides development assistance and ITEC training. Timor-Leste's position between Indonesian seas and the Pacific gives it strategic relevance to India's maritime neighbourhood concept. India-Timor-Leste maritime cooperation is nascent.

South Korea

EAST ASIA

GROWING

Shipbuilding tech; coast guard cooperation; Indo-Pacific maritime

South Korea is the world's leading shipbuilder — a technology partner for India's maritime capacity expansion. India-South Korea coast guard cooperation includes vessel tracking and anti-piracy exercises. Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding have expressed interest in India's shipbuilding PLI scheme. Both countries participate in Indo-Pacific maritime security frameworks.