India in the Indo-Pacific: Rise of a Net Security Provider

In recent years, the Indian Navy has emerged as a significant power in the Indo-Pacific Region, featuring two aircraft carriers alongside a diverse array of vessels, including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and nuclear submarines. The Indian Navy has established itself as a force for good, as evidenced by its involvement in various anti-piracy operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief initiatives, and rescue missions throughout the Indo-Pacific region, earning the designation of “First Responder” in the region. In light of the Indian Navy’s proactive involvement in the region, certain analysts have begun to characterize India as a “Net Security Provider” within the Indo-Pacific region. This paper explores the concept of a Net Security Provider, specifically from a maritime security perspective. It also discusses how India has evolved as a Net Security Provider in the region over time. This study thoroughly examines India’s contemporary challenges in its endeavor to position itself as a Net Security Provider in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in light of the resurgence of rogue non-state actors and the ongoing competition among major regional powers. In the end, this paper offers insightful recommendations for India to strengthen its position as a Net Security Provider in the Indo-Pacific region.