The Himalayas and the Indian Ocean have long defined India’s geography, history, and culture. While northern land routes saw foreign empires rise, southern seas witnessed Indians sailing east and west for trade, cultural exchange, and conquest. This historical backdrop raises a critical question: what is the true significance of the maritime domain for India today?

A new scholarly work, The Routledge Handbook of Maritime India, edited by Alluri Subramanyam Raju and R. Srinivasan, offers a multidimensional exploration of this question through history, strategy, economics, and technology. The book begins by tracing India’s ancient and medieval maritime prowess, highlighting the Chola dynasty as “The Nautical Tigers” and recalling Jawaharlal Nehru’s observation that control of the Indian Ocean has historically meant control over India’s trade and independence.

The handbook delves into India’s modern maritime strategy and relations with nations including Australia, Japan, France, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and China. It notes India’s successful demarcation of maritime boundaries with all neighbors except Pakistan, and features a chapter on Sino-Indian maritime rivalry that recommends extensive bilateral discussions to prevent clashes at sea. Other analyses explore the turnaround in India-Australia maritime ties, similarities between India and Japan, and the shared Indo-Pacific vision of India and France.

Further chapters examine maritime governance in South Asia, with one study comparing India and China and warning of a “zero-sum game” influenced by the U.S., while another discusses how issues like corruption can drive nations toward China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The book also highlights India’s growing maritime power, noting the Indian Navy’s transformation into a “net security provider” through anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea, and debates strategies for the Indo-Pacific amid shifting U.S. policies and global crises.

The final section addresses economic and technological developments, covering topics from underwater domain awareness and the Blue Economy to climate resilience and coastal security. Packed with the latest research, the handbook’s recommendations are presented as vital reading for policymakers shaping India’s maritime future.