Nearly fifty years ago, naval strategist Ken Booth described the role of navies through a simple but powerful idea–a trinity of military force, diplomacy and policing. Today, the Indian Navy stands out as one of the clearest living examples of this theory in action. From the cold waters of the North Arabian Sea to the warm stretches of the South China Sea, the Indian Navy has grown far beyond coastal defence. It has become a “Preferred Security Partner” across the Indo-Pacific.

Naval diplomacy is now one of India’s strongest tools to protect its interests and shape stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Maritime competition increases with China’s growing presence. But instead of confrontation, the Indian Navy has responded and built its strength through cooperation, engagement and trust-building.

This new approach rests on three clear trends. First, India’s maritime outlook has widened. Instead of acting alone, the Navy now works closely with........

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