The 21st Century world order can be categorised as one of strategic flux and uncertainty with strong globalisation impulses and a seamless informational domain. One also witnesses the extant and rising powers announcing grand strategic outreaches, that either aim to retain their relative influence or seek more manoeuvring space in line with the expanding geography of their global linkages. Within this milieu, the ‘maritime domain’ is finding increasing references in respective national calculus and strategic postures that carry a strong oceanic flavour. While the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ facets of maritime forces naturally coexist, it is the ‘low politics’ associated with the seas that is finding greater space in contemporary narrative. This book, a compilation of papers and presentations made during the two-day conference at the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016 hosted by the Indian Navy, examines the diverse perspectives on the larger theme of enhanced cooperative endeavours at sea.

Editors

Dr Vijay Sakhuja is Director, National Maritime Foundation (NMF). He is also a visiting Senior Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore and before joining NMF, he was Director (Research) at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi.

Captain Raghavendra Mishra, Research Fellow at the National Maritime Foundation is a serving naval aircrew and an Anti-Submarine Warfare specialist. He is currently pursuing his doctoral studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University.