Many writings have focused on studying the impact of geography on state policies, particularly by Western thinkers. The general consensus has been that geography either serves as a connecting bridge or a dividing barrier. Looking at the geography and history of the Indian Ocean, it becomes evident that it has been the cradle for the emergence of several civilizations throughout history, with the exception of ancient Egyptian civilization. These civilizations interacted through trade, driven by the diverse economic resources of the countries surrounding the ocean and its strategic geographical location. The result was a shared objective of trade exchange rather than conflict or confrontation. Undoubtedly, geography and history play significant roles in shaping cooperative frameworks between regions of strategic contact. Among these regions is the Arabian Gulf, which has had active engagement with the Indian Ocean, forming an important foundation for future cooperation in all fields.

However, a pertinent question arises: are these foundations sufficient to foster cooperation that reaches the level of a strategic partnership, particularly in maritime security? To answer this question, I will dedicate two successive articles to analyzing the perspectives of the Gulf states and India, for instance, on cooperation in maritime security. This analysis will consider India’s influential role in the Indian Ocean and the existing foundations that can be built upon to advance such cooperation.

Note: This article has been automatically translated, the full article is available in Arabic.

Source: Akhbar Al Khaleej