The Indian Ocean is of great strategic significance in contemporary global geopolitics, serving as a key route for commerce, energy flows, and naval dominance. As the third-largest ocean in the world, it connects the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia, and serves as a natural maritime highway for international trade. The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) facilitates the transportation of around 80% of global maritime oil trade and is linked to important maritime points of contention including Bab el-Mandeb, the Strait of Malacca, and the Strait of Hormuz, making it indispensable for global energy security and economic stability. India, situated at the heart of the northern Indian Ocean, considers the region crucial to its strategic projections....