The volume takes up concerns that need to be viewed to ensure the security of maritime borders to facilitate international trade as well as strengthen the comprehensive security of the country from various sources of threat.

It first gives a description of the Indian Ocean Rim countries and their historical background, the geo-economic and geo-strategic importance of the Indian Ocean as well as its many aspects like weather and minerals, and India's maritime and security strategy. Taking up the political dimensions of maritime security, it deals with important topics like the International Law of the Sea, Maritime Law, India's policy, maritime boundaries and India's maritime disputes. The economic aspects of India's maritime security are covered in detail. It also analyses the power struggle of the major powers in the Indian Ocean. Extensive in its coverage and analytical data as well, it covers the Indian Navy and armaments and other armed forces with reference to the Indian Ocean security, the foreign policy of India with respect to Indian Ocean Rim countries and the futuristic directions of its maritime strategy in great detail. The volume contains figures including maps and graphs which ably support the text.

The book is an in-depth study of India's maritime strategy and its link with national security and therefore is sure to interest scholars and students involved in research in this field.

Preface
Acknowledgement
Abbreviation
List of Graphs And Tables
List of Maps and Figures

1. Introduction

Historical Background
Indian Dominance 
Portuguese Dominance 
Dutch Dominance 
French Dominance 
British Dominance 
Establishment of British Indian Ocean Territory 
British Withdrawal from East of Suez
Geo-Economic and Geo-Strategic Importance 
India's Security and Maritime Strategy 
National Security Objectives
Salient Features of the Security Environment
Maritime Security 

2. The Geographical Framework of the Indian Ocean and India

Islands of the Indian Ocean 
Parts of the Indian Ocean  
Tributaries of the Indian Ocean 
Straits, Channels and Sea Routes 
Land Routes, Air Routes and Cable Lines  
India: Location and Physical Settings 
Western Coast  
Eastern Coast  

3. Political Dimension of the Indian Ocean and India's Security

Freedom of the Seas (International Law) 
Maritime Law 
Concept of Zone of Peace 
India's Policy 
Maritime Boundaries 
India's Maritime Disputes 
India's Co-operation and Community Feeling with the Indian Ocean Countries 
India Needs "Tactical Move" in Twenty-first Century 

4. Economic Dimension of the Indian Ocean and India's Security

Economic Strategy 
Foreign Trade 
Energy Security 
Global Scenario 
Crude Oil in India 
Financial Implications 
Natural Gas and Pipelines 
Maritime Trade, Commerce 
International Co-operation in Maritime Shipping 
Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding (IOMoU) -- Port State Control 
Security Concern Over Energy Shipment 
Major Problems of Indian Ports 
International Economic Associations 
Principles of the IOR-ARC 
IOR-ARC Objectives 
IORBF (Indian Ocean Business Forum) 
IORAG (Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group) 
India and IOR-ARC 
BIMSTEC (Bangladesh -- India -- Myanmar -- Sri Lanka -- Thailand Economic Co-operation) 

5. Power Struggle in the Indian Ocean

Power Potential of Major Powers in the Indian Ocean Region

6. Armaments and Armed Forces With Reference to the Indian Ocean

The Indian Navy 
India's Nuclear Weapons Programme 
Limited War 
Arms Control and Disarmament 
Pakistani Ballistic Missiles  

7. Foreign Policy of India 

India's Relations with important Indian Ocean Rim Countries

Australia -- Bangladesh -- Djibouti -- Eritrea -- Indonesia -- Iran -- Kuwait -- Malaysia -- Mauritius -- Maldives -- Myanmar -- Oman -- Qatar -- Saudi Arabia -- Seychelles 

8. Maritime Strategy of India and Futuristic Directions

Evolution of Maritime History of India 
Genesis and Developments of Indian Navy 

Indian Marine (1612-1686) -- Bombay Marine (1686-1830) -- Indian Navy (1830-1858) -- Her Majesty's Indian Navy (1858-1863) -- Bombay and Bengal Marine (1863-1877) -- Her Majesty's Indian Marine (1877-1892) -- Royal Indian Marine (1892-1934) -- Royal Indian Navy (1934-1950)

Pre-Independence Plans of the Indian Navy 
Post-Independence Plan of the Indian Navy 
The Making of the Modern Indian Navy 
Organization of Indian Navy 
Organization of Naval Headquarters (NHQ) 
Indian Coast Guard (Bharatiya Tata Rakshak)  
Comparative Naval Strength 
Maritime Co-operation in the Indian Ocean 
Defence Budget 
Elements for Strong Maritime Power 
Futuristic Direction 

9. Conclusion 
Annexures

1. Findings 
2. Suggestions 
3. Charter of the Ior-Arc 
4. BIST-EC Declaration 

Bibliography 
Index