New Delhi, Aug 10 (NationPress) Over the last ten years, India has progressively broadened its maritime perspective, transitioning from the regional emphasis of SAGAR -- Security and Growth for All in the Region -- to the internationally-focused MAHASAGAR doctrine, with the Indo-Pacific at its strategic heart.

Introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2015 during the unveiling of the Mauritius Coast Guard vessel Barracuda, the SAGAR framework highlighted the Indian Ocean's pivotal significance, transporting two-thirds of the world’s oil shipments and accommodating 40% of the global population along its coastlines.

This policy placed a premium on the security of India’s mainland and island territories, fostering collaboration with maritime neighbors, advocating sustainable development, and boosting regional maritime interaction.

Supported domestically by the Sagarmala initiative focused on port-led development, SAGAR illustrated India's transition from a continental to a maritime perspective.

Over the years, the Indian Navy has established itself as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), responding effectively to natural disasters like the 2004 tsunami, Cyclone Nargis in 2008, and the Maldives' water crisis in 2014, while enhancing relations through joint drills, capacity building, and humanitarian missions.

India's maritime diplomacy has evolved into a significant engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

Since the 2018 Shangri-La Dialogue, where PM Modi articulated India’s vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific centered on ASEAN, New Delhi has initiated programs such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and strengthened ties through the Quad.

Regional cooperation is fostered through platforms like the East Asia Summit, Indian Ocean Rim Association, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, Colombo Security Conclave, and the MILAN exercises, along with white shipping agreements and the Information Fusion Centre--IOR in Gurugram.

The Ministry of External Affairs’ 2024 Annual Report emphasized multifaceted collaboration with ASEAN and other regional entities, showcasing the elevation of India–ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and cooperation in trade, technology, and cultural exchange.

In March 2025, commemorating a decade since the launch of SAGAR, PM Modi unveiled MAHASAGAR -- Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions -- in Mauritius.

While SAGAR was centered on the IOR, MAHASAGAR broadens the vision globally, particularly stressing partnerships across the Global South.

This initiative signals India’s ambition to be a preferred security partner and a catalyst for inclusive maritime development globally.

From protecting regional waters to influencing global maritime standards, India's evolution from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR signifies its growth into a proactive and responsible maritime power with aspirations that transcend its own shores.