India-US Plan Greater Strategic Cooperation In Indian Ocean Under IOSV

India and the United States are planning to deepen strategic cooperation in the Indian Ocean, with a focus on developing critical infrastructure such as ports and telecommunications networks in key regional countries, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius.

The partnership is expected to be pursued under the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture (IOSV), an initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump during their bilateral summit in February 2025.

Ports, Maritime Security And Digital Infrastructure

A senior US State Department official said the initiative will focus on pooling Indian and American resources to support strategic infrastructure projects in the region.

“India is great at building ports. We have the money to help build those ports. How can we get in there and pool our resources in these key countries and advance that?” the official said.

The official said ports, maritime security and digital infrastructure would be among the key areas of cooperation, with both countries also looking at next-generation technologies and global standards for 6G.

“So we’re looking at ports. We’re looking at maritime security, and then digital infrastructure. We’re looking at 6G. What is the next generation of standards going to look like, and how can the U.S. and India be the leaders and partner in that? So those are really the key themes,” the official added.

Focus On Maritime Security

Strengthening maritime security and governance will also be a major component of the partnership. Possible areas of cooperation include tackling illegal fishing, human trafficking and the illicit narcotics trade in the Indian Ocean region.

The US official also indicated that monitoring the activities of foreign ships operating as purported research vessels could become another area of focus.

The issue is significant for India, which has long raised security concerns over the activities of Chinese hydrographic research vessels in the Indian Ocean.

Providing Alternatives To China

Another key objective of IOSV will be to provide regional countries with alternatives to Chinese state-backed enterprises for strategic infrastructure projects.

The US official acknowledged that American private companies can face difficulties competing with government-backed Chinese firms on cost.

“We want to provide alternatives, and we can’t always compete because sometimes the costs don’t make sense. Our private sector cannot offer the same prices that a government-backed company can offer, and so that’s when we say, how can the US and India work together on this?” the official said.

Strengthening Regional Capabilities

The initiative will also seek to improve the capabilities of governments in the Indian Ocean region, particularly in monitoring and managing their territorial waters.

“These are things that are natural fits for both of us that make our country secure and India more secure,” the official said.

The official added that the US and India are working with regional countries to better understand activity in their territorial waters and provide them with the tools and resources needed to strengthen maritime security.

Sri Lanka was cited as an example. The US recently donated a fourth US Coast Guard cutter to the country, which is now being used by Sri Lankan authorities.

India-US Talks On IOSV Intensify

Bilateral discussions on the initiative have intensified in recent months.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Under Secretary of State Allison Hoover discussed the possibilities under IOSV during a phone call earlier last month.

The two sides also held discussions on the initiative during meetings in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week last month.

The talks signal growing India-US attention to infrastructure, maritime security and digital connectivity across the strategically important Indian Ocean region.