As global geopolitical and strategic action increasingly shifts towards the Indo-Pacific region, the Bay of Bengal (BoB) has emerged as a critical area of interest. Traditionally overshadowed by the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the relatively peaceful waters of the BoB are now under the spotlight, with significant military and economic developments occurring along its shores.
The Bay of Bengal has a rich history, dating back to ancient times. The bay’s name is derived from the historical Bengal region, encompassing present-day Bangladesh, the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, and the Barak Valley of Southern Assam. Ancient Indian scriptures referred to this water body as Mahodadhi (Great Water Receptacle), while the Greeks called it the “Gulf of the Ganges.” Over the centuries, the BoB has been a significant maritime route for trade and cultural exchanges.
The Bay of Bengal was a theater of major military action during World War II, particularly in the Burma and Arakan Campaigns. It also played a pivotal role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, witnessing the deployment of significant naval forces, including the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Soviet nuclear submarines. Most airfields around the BoB, especially in Thailand, were initially built during WWII or the Vietnam War, indicating the long-standing strategic importance of the region.
The BoB, covering approximately 2.6 million square kilometers, is situated in the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It has a maximum length of 2,090 km and a width of 1,610 km, with its deepest point reaching 4,694 meters (15,400 feet). The bay is bounded by several South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The BoB is vital for these nations’ economies, providing essential maritime routes, fisheries, and natural resources. The bay also hosts the world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, which is the natural habitat of the Bengal tiger, and Cox’s Bazar, the longest sea beach in the world. Several major rivers flow into the BoB, including the Ganges-Hooghly, the Padma, the Brahmaputra–Jamuna, and the Irrawaddy, making the region a critical zone for agriculture, trade, and industry.
Geopolitical Interests in Bay of Bengal
In recent years, the Bay of Bengal has become a focus of geopolitical interest due to its strategic location and economic significance. The bay lies at the center of two major economic blocks, SAARC and ASEAN, influencing China’s southern landlocked region and major seaports in Bangladesh and India. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with major ports such as Chittagong, Mongla, Payra, Paradip, Kolkata, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Tuticorin, are key to the BoB’s strategic importance.
- United States Interests
The United States has expressed interest in establishing a naval and air station on Bangladesh’s Saint Martin Island, a move that would significantly enhance its presence in the region. This interest aligns with the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to check China’s growing influence in the region. The U.S. also conducts joint naval exercises with several nations in the BoB, with Exercise Malabar being one of the largest such drills, involving India, Japan, and Australia. - China’s Strategic Moves
China has been expanding its influence in the Bay of Bengal through investments in Bangladesh’s military assets and ports. China’s interest in the BoB is driven by its need for alternative trade routes that bypass the Malacca Strait, which is a critical chokepoint in its maritime trade routes. The Bay of Bengal is also crucial for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as it seeks to establish connectivity with South Asia and beyond. - India’s Strategic Interests
India, with its “Look East and Act East” policy, has been proactive in strengthening its presence in the Bay of Bengal. India has been upgrading airfields on its eastern seaboard and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, recognizing the strategic importance of these locations for power projection and defense. - The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy have been enhancing their operational capabilities in the region. Airbases such as Kalaikunda, Thanjavur, Sulur, and Car Nicobar have been upgraded to accommodate modern fighter jets, including the Su-30 MKI and the indigenous LCA Tejas. Naval airbases like INS Dega, INS Rajali, and INS Baaz are also critical to India’s maritime strategy in the BoB.
Military Assets and Infrastructure Around the Bay of Bengal
The airfields and naval bases around the Bay of Bengal are crucial for the military operations of the countries bordering the bay. Many of these airfields were originally built during World War II or the Vietnam War and have been upgraded or repurposed for modern military use.
- Indian Air Force and Navy Bases
The IAF has several key airbases around the BoB, including Kalaikunda, Panagarh, Tambaram, Thanjavur, Sulur, and Car Nicobar. These bases are equipped with a variety of aircraft, including Su-30 MKIs, C-130Js, and the indigenous LCA Tejas. The Indian Navy operates from major airbases such as INS Dega, INS Rajali, and INS Baaz, which support a range of aircraft, including the P-8I Neptune and Kamov Ka-28 helicopters. - INS Baaz, located at Campbell Bay, is India’s southernmost airstrip and overlooks the strategically important Six-Degree Channel, a vital maritime route. The base’s runway is being extended to accommodate larger aircraft, enhancing India’s ability to project power across the BoB and beyond.
- Bangladesh Military Assets
Bangladesh has also been modernizing its military infrastructure in the BoB region. The Bangladesh Air Force operates from several key bases, including Kurmitola, Tejgaon, Chittagong, and Cox’s Bazar. These bases host a mix of aircraft, including MiG-29s, F-7 variants, and C-130Js. The establishment of forward operating bases at Cox’s Bazar underscores Bangladesh’s strategic interest in securing its maritime borders and airspace. - Myanmar and Other Regional Players
Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw, operates several airbases along the BoB, including Mingaladon, Hmawbi, and Magway. These bases host various aircraft, including MiG-29s, Su-30s, and the newly acquired JF-17 Thunder jets from Pakistan. Myanmar’s airbases are critical for its defense strategy, particularly in the context of its complex internal security situation and its need to secure its maritime interests in the BoB.
Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand also have significant military assets in the region. Indonesia’s airbases, such as Banda Aceh and Maimun Saleh, are strategically located near the Andaman Sea, providing a critical link between the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. Malaysia and Thailand’s airbases, such as Butterworth and Korat, are vital for regional security and cooperation with allied forces, including the United States.
The growing interest in the Bay of Bengal reflects its strategic importance in the broader Indo-Pacific region. As major powers like the United States, China, and India vie for influence in the BoB, the region is likely to witness increased military activity and infrastructure development.
The BoB’s strategic significance is not just limited to military considerations; it also plays a crucial role in regional economic integration and maritime trade. The bay is home to some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, particularly the Strait of Malacca, through which about 25 percent of the world’s traded goods pass. The security and stability of the BoB are thus essential for global trade and economic stability.
India’s Role in Bay of Bengal
India’s role in the Bay of Bengal is central to its broader strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific. India’s investments in upgrading its military infrastructure in the BoB, coupled with its active participation in regional organizations like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), underscore its commitment to maintaining stability and security in the region.
India’s initiatives such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) reflect its vision for the BoB as a zone of peace and prosperity. By strengthening its military capabilities and enhancing regional cooperation, India aims to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region while ensuring that the BoB remains a secure and open maritime zone.
United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy
The United States views the Bay of Bengal as a critical component of its Indo-Pacific strategy. By strengthening ties with regional partners like India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, the U.S. seeks to counter China’s assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific. The proposed naval and air station on Saint Martin Island in Bangladesh is part of this broader strategy, aimed at enhancing U.S. presence and influence in the region.
Joint military exercises such as Exercise Malabar, which involve the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia, are also a key element of the U.S. strategy to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. These exercises enhance interoperability among the navies of these countries and serve as a deterrent against potential threats in the region.
The Bay of Bengal has transformed from a relatively peaceful maritime zone into a focal point of geopolitical competition and strategic interest. The bay’s strategic location, rich natural resources, and vital maritime routes make it a critical area for regional and global powers.
As the Indo-Pacific region continues to evolve, the Bay of Bengal will play an increasingly important role in shaping the geopolitical landscape. The ongoing military developments, infrastructure upgrades, and strategic partnerships in the BoB reflect the region’s growing importance in global security and economic dynamics.
India, China, the United States, and other regional players will continue to vie for influence in the Bay of Bengal, shaping its future as a critical hub of geopolitical and strategic activity. The BoB’s significance in the Indo-Pacific strategy underscores the need for continued vigilance, cooperation, and investment in ensuring the security and stability of this vital maritime region.
