Sun Sep 08 13:31:03 UTC 2024: ## US Must Prioritize the Indian Ocean to Counter China: Experts

**Washington D.C.** – A new report from the Center for the National Interest argues that the United States needs a comprehensive strategy for the Indian Ocean to effectively counter China’s growing influence and secure its own national security.

The authors, Kaush Arha and James Himberger, highlight the Indian Ocean’s strategic importance as a vital trade route, boasting the largest (India) and fastest-growing (Africa) populations and energy-rich West Asian nations.

Over 60% of global maritime trade transits through the Indian Ocean, including critical energy shipments and container cargo. This makes the region crucial for both the US and China, with the latter heavily reliant on the sea lane for its oil imports.

The report stresses that the US needs to prioritize its presence in the Indian Ocean despite its geographically distanced location. This necessitates a departure from traditional approaches, focusing on:

* **Building strategic partnerships:** The US should strengthen alliances with key nations like India, Australia, France, and the UK, supporting their naval and coast guard capabilities.
* **Establishing regional presence:** The US needs a robust presence across key chokepoints, including the Straits of Malacca, Hormuz, and Bab-el-Mandeb, potentially establishing new bases in locations like India’s Andaman Islands.
* **Partnering with emerging maritime powers:** The US should cultivate partnerships with nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia, leveraging their investments in naval capabilities and infrastructure.
* **Addressing institutional shortcomings:** The US needs to streamline inter-agency coordination and diplomacy efforts to effectively implement its Indian Ocean strategy.

The report concludes that a robust Indian Ocean strategy is crucial for the US to maintain its position in the Indo-Pacific and compete with China. It urges Congress to direct the executive branch to develop and implement such a strategy with urgency.

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