The last ten years have seen the recognition of the Indian Navy’s significance in policy considerations, following over fifty years of disuse. Given the length of coastline that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as Lakshadweep, have contributed to the Exclusive Economic Zone, it is imperative that the Indian Navy and Coast Guard has the capacity to guarantee the security of these maritime areas.

Specifically, there is the global threat posed by PRC fishing fleets that are engaged in ocean plundering, even though these CCP-inspired fishing vessels often poach in other nations’ exclusive zones. The guiding principle is that “I have the strength to take what’s yours.”

The White House is pushing Congress to give $60 billion to Ukraine in a war it lost at the outset, while trying to give much less to Israel, a longtime ally, and even less to Taiwan, that bastion of democracy located just a few miles from the PRC at its closest point, Kinmen. This is a sign of a seriously distorted understanding of current needs. Biden has frequently used the argument that Ukraine would “deter China from attacking Taiwan” to defend his obsession with the country.

Conversely, the CCP has benefited from the quagmire that Ukraine has created for NATO, as the confrontation between Ukraine and Russia diverts US attention and resources from the PRC’s occupation of a large portion of the sea.

An encouraging development is the growing focus on the indigenous production of commercial ships as well as warships. India has long lagged behind in this area, but it is now beginning to catch up, positioning itself as a major hub for shipbuilding worldwide and realising the potential of the Blue Economy.