India’s New Model of Naval Statecraft - Influence Without Bases

For decades, the standard currency of naval diplomacy has been visibility. If a nation wanted to project influence, it sent a destroyer to a foreign port, hosted a fleet review, or conducted ahigh-profile ceremonial exchange. But lately, the Indian Navy is quietly pivoting away from the spectacle of "showing the flag" toward a more utilitarian objective: giving its partners the tools to secure their own backyards. This is a fundamental rereading of what influence looks like in the 21st century. Instead of seeking overseas bases or permanent deployments—which can often feel like an encroachment—India is supplying platforms, surveillance tech, and coordination infrastructure. Officials frame this as a move from "patronage" to genuine "partnership."

The logic is refreshingly simple: a neighbor who can police their own waters is harder to coerce and less reliant on external security guarantees.The blueprint is unfolding most clearly in Southeast Asia. In July 2023, the Indian Navy transferred the missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam. This wasn't just a routine handover--it was the first time that India had gifted a fully operational warship to a foreign nation. The choice of recipient was just as telling as the hardware. Vietnam is a frontline territory in the South China Sea, which is facing constant pressure in waters where the margin for error is razor-thin. Handing over the 1,450-tonneKhukri-class corvette was just not a diplomatic handshake, but it provided a tangible asset to strengthen Hanoi’s coastal defense. It was a clear signal that the 'Act East' policy has moved beyond conference rooms and into the realm of hard assets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjGrgS4c15M

A similar, perhaps grittier, calculation is visible in the Western Indian Ocean. In November 2024, India delivered two Fast Interceptor Crafts to Mozambique. These aren't blue-water behemoths designed foropen ocean warfare; they are agile, high-speed vessels built for the messy reality of littoral security. With the insurgency in Cabo Delgado spilling over into sea lanes and threatening offshore gas installations, Mozambique needed tools for a specific kind of fight—counter-smuggling, anti-piracy, and stopping militant movements. By supplying these specific boats, India acknowledged that local navies don't always need destroyers; sometimes, they just need to move fast in shallow waters. It aligns perfectly with India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which prioritises shared responsibility over unilateral policing. Closer to home, the strategy shifts from hardware to the 'nervous system' of maritime security. In June 2024, a new Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) went live in Colombo. It was backed by a $6 million grant from India. This facility allows Sri Lanka to integrate coastal surveillance and manage maritime incidents in real time. The location matters immensely. Sri Lanka sits astride some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Crucially, the system includes a sub-center in Hambantota. Despite the geopolitical noise surrounding that port's lease to China, India chose functional engagement over strategic avoidance. It was a pragmatic bet that information sharing is more valuable than political posturing. When you view these moves as a whole—the corvette to Vietnam, the interceptors to Mozambique, and the radar network in Sri Lanka—a consistent pattern emerges. India isn't trying to dominate the sea waters through sheer presence. It isn't trying to build a rigid alliance system. Instead, it is investing in the sovereignty of its neighbors. This brand of diplomacy is quiet. It lacks the photo-op glamour of a carrier group visit. But platforms last longer than port calls, and surveillance networks outlive political summits. By focusing on capacity rather than control, India is shaping the maritime environment in a way that sticks-- altering the balance of power without triggering the friction that usually comes with it.