This book uniquely employs risk and vulnerability approaches to advocate international policy
options for enhancing maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. Understanding
shared risks and common vulnerabilities that impact the achievement of mutual objectives in the
oceanic domain present practical bases for progressing collective action. The Indian Ocean sea
lanes are the world's most important thoroughfares for energy resources (oil gas and coal) and
other cargoes. Secure maritime trade routes are vital to global regional and national
economies. Further security challenges resulting from marine environmental degradation
impacted by climate change are rising. Regional and extra-regional actors need to work more
closely together to impose law and order at sea control regional conflicts respond to
humanitarian crises and natural disasters and conserve the marine environment. This book
provides an invaluable resource for political leaders policy advisers academic researchers
military professionals and students of international security and strategic studies.
