Once regarded primarily as a commercial highway, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is entering into a phase of acute strategic volatility. This region is now being shaped by nuclear deployments that transform trade corridors into potential conflict zones. This shift is emerging due to India’s decision to operationalize nuclear weapons at sea. This move from India does not enhance stability but embeds new dangers into the already fragile security environment.
New Delhi lowered the nuclear threshold significantly in the maritime domain by placing ballistic missiles on nuclear-powered submarines. Also, nuclear forces at sea cannot be managed with the same level of centralised control, and this increases the risks of accidents, miscommunication, and unauthorized use during crises.[1] This will lead to a less predictable deterrence framework in South Asia, where decision-making timelines are already compressed.
