The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Indian Ocean are not only vulnerable regions but also strategic partners in India’s Indo-Pacific vision. Discuss.
Answer: Once seen as vulnerable outposts, the Indian Ocean SIDS (Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, and Madagascar) are now strategic partners in India’s Indo-Pacific vision due to their strategic location, vast EEZs, and shared vulnerabilities aligned with India’s maritime strategies like SAGAR and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
SIDS: Vulnerable Outposts
- Environmental Vulnerabilities: Rising sea levels, cyclones, and saltwater intrusion threaten their very existence. Example: According to UNEP (2014), natural disasters result in annual GDP losses of 1–9% for SIDS.
- Economic Fragility: Their economies are heavily dependent on tourism and fisheries, with high reliance on imports for food and energy. Example: ....
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