India’s Growing Indo-Pacific Footprint Anchored by SAGAR and MAHASAGAR Vision: Key Highlights from MEA’s 2024 Report


India’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: Anchored in SAGAR

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its Annual Report for 2024, has underscored a growing strategic and economic role in the Indo-Pacific, guided by the SAGAR doctrine—Security and Growth for All in the Region. The report reiterates India’s steadfast commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, which upholds sovereignty and international law and promotes peaceful resolution of disputes.

SAGAR is not a standalone vision. It represents India’s intent for multi-dimensional engagement—political, economic, security, and cultural—with both regional powers and extra-regional stakeholders.

10 Years of Act East Policy and ASEAN Centrality

Marking a decade of the Act East Policy, the report confirms that ASEAN remains central to India’s Indo-Pacific strategy. India’s relationship with ASEAN was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. At the 21st India-ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos (October 10, 2024), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ASEAN leaders jointly reviewed the partnership and issued forward-looking statements on digital transformation and future cooperation.

India’s cultural diplomacy, trade, technology partnerships, and people-to-people ties with ASEAN were also acknowledged. Initiatives like the India-ASEAN Women Scientists Conclave reflect growing socio-academic exchanges.


Strengthening Engagement with Regional Groupings

The MEA highlighted growing Indian involvement with key Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regional platforms such as:

  • East Asia Summit (EAS) – Strategic dialogue on terrorism, cyber threats, and educational cooperation (e.g., revival of Nalanda University).

  • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) – India currently serves as Vice-Chair (2023–2025), working on maritime safety, the Blue Economy, and climate resilience.

  • Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) – India has observer status since 2020.

  • ASEM, MGC, ACMECS, and IMT-GT – Platforms for cross-regional cooperation in trade, connectivity, and capacity building.

India’s leadership role in these groupings reflects its deepening integration in Indo-Pacific multilateralism.

Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI)

The Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI), launched by PM Modi in 2019, has emerged as a pillar of India’s maritime engagement. IPOI is based on seven pillars, including:

  • Maritime security

  • Disaster risk reduction

  • Trade and connectivity

  • Science and technology collaboration

Nations like Australia, Japan, and the UK have extended their cooperation to IPOI, making it a robust platform for maritime cooperation in the region.

Expanding Sub-Regional Connectivity: MGC and IMT-GT

India continues to deepen sub-regional engagement, particularly through:

  • Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) – India leads several working groups and has sanctioned 121 Quick Impact Projects (QIPs). The newly launched MGC Business Council aims to promote trade and entrepreneurship.

  • Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) – India joined as a Development Partner in 2022. It hosted the first Early Harvest Project in 2024, which focused on training in computer networking and digital skilling.

Blue Economy as a Strategic Focus

India’s commitment to sustainable maritime development was reaffirmed through its Blue Economy agenda. The MEA cited collaboration with IORA and alignment with the World Bank’s definition—promoting economic growth and job creation through responsible ocean resource management.

MAHASAGAR: Expanding the SAGAR Vision

One of the most significant announcements in 2025 was PM Modi’s launch of the MAHASAGAR Doctrine—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—during his Mauritius visit.

MAHASAGAR builds on SAGAR and integrates India’s broader neighbourhood and regional-first commitments, effectively aligning India’s Neighbourhood First policy with global outreach. It also reflects India’s growing profile as:

  • A first responder in humanitarian crises, and

  • A net security provider in the Indo-Pacific and Western Indian Ocean region.

Strategic Conclusion: India’s Indo-Pacific Policy is Multi-Layered and Forward-Thinking

India’s 2024 MEA Report highlights that New Delhi is no longer a passive observer in Indo-Pacific geopolitics—it is an active architect shaping a peaceful, rule-based regional order.

The Indo-Pacific is not just a maritime geography for India—it’s a strategic theatre where diplomacy, defence, development, and digital aspirations converge.

With ASEAN at the core, IPOI as a maritime tool, IORA as a connectivity platform, and MAHASAGAR as an emerging doctrine—India is crafting a resilient and inclusive Indo-Pacific vision for the decade ahead.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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