New Delhi-based Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) has launched a new discussion paper titled, ‘India and the Quad in Port Development in the Bay of Bengal Region’.
The paper examined the roles of India, the United States, Japan and Australia, both bilaterally and through the Quadrilateral partnership (Quad), in driving port infrastructure development and enhancing shipping connectivity in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) region.
Ports are the entry and exit points for international trade and play an important role in the economic and social development of countries. Globally, more than 80% of merchandise trade is transported via seaports (Humphreys, 2023).
Approximately 30% of global trade flows are handled by ports in the BoB region, including Colombo (Sri Lanka), Chennai (India), and Chattogram (Bangladesh).
The paper aims to contribute to policy discussions on India and the Quad’s role in BoB port development in three ways: it highlights country-specific port challenges, explores India’s motivations for regional port investments, and proposes a framework for effective cooperation between India and the Quad countries. The latter addresses a key gap in the existing literature, as Quad partners continue to shape their collective approach.
The BoB is a focal point for global supply chains and geopolitical competition. Despite its significance as a maritime trade hub, its port infrastructure remains underdeveloped relative to evolving global supply chain demands. Challenges in port infrastructure and connectivity in the BoB region include infrastructure deficits, varied governance models, outdated efficiency parameters, lack of digitisation, and growing geopolitical competition. India’s engagement in the development of port infrastructure in the BoB is driven by a combination of economic and geostrategic factors.
India has expanded its investments in both domestic and regional port infrastructure, focusing on efficiency improvements, logistics integration, and the construction of new ports and terminals. These efforts are shaped by a combination of economic imperatives and geostrategic considerations. At the same time, the Quad has recognised the importance of supporting sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific.
The paper highlighted the pressing need for enhanced port development and connectivity and proposes a strategic framework to assess opportunities and risks for India to work within the Quad framework.
It presented three approaches for India–Quad cooperation and identifies the advantages and limitations of each type of engagement. India maintains its status as the preferred development partner by focusing on direct partnerships within its immediate neighbourhood. This allows India to tailor infrastructure projects to its specific needs and security concerns, ensuring alignment with national interests. However, this approach limits access to the Quad’s resources, expertise, and funding, potentially causing delays in project execution.
The paper examined the roles of India, the United States, Japan and Australia, both bilaterally and through the Quadrilateral partnership (Quad), in driving port infrastructure development and enhancing shipping connectivity in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) region.
Ports are the entry and exit points for international trade and play an important role in the economic and social development of countries. Globally, more than 80% of merchandise trade is transported via seaports (Humphreys, 2023).
Approximately 30% of global trade flows are handled by ports in the BoB region, including Colombo (Sri Lanka), Chennai (India), and Chattogram (Bangladesh).
The paper aims to contribute to policy discussions on India and the Quad’s role in BoB port development in three ways: it highlights country-specific port challenges, explores India’s motivations for regional port investments, and proposes a framework for effective cooperation between India and the Quad countries. The latter addresses a key gap in the existing literature, as Quad partners continue to shape their collective approach.
The BoB is a focal point for global supply chains and geopolitical competition. Despite its significance as a maritime trade hub, its port infrastructure remains underdeveloped relative to evolving global supply chain demands. Challenges in port infrastructure and connectivity in the BoB region include infrastructure deficits, varied governance models, outdated efficiency parameters, lack of digitisation, and growing geopolitical competition. India’s engagement in the development of port infrastructure in the BoB is driven by a combination of economic and geostrategic factors.
India has expanded its investments in both domestic and regional port infrastructure, focusing on efficiency improvements, logistics integration, and the construction of new ports and terminals. These efforts are shaped by a combination of economic imperatives and geostrategic considerations. At the same time, the Quad has recognised the importance of supporting sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific.
The paper highlighted the pressing need for enhanced port development and connectivity and proposes a strategic framework to assess opportunities and risks for India to work within the Quad framework.
It presented three approaches for India–Quad cooperation and identifies the advantages and limitations of each type of engagement. India maintains its status as the preferred development partner by focusing on direct partnerships within its immediate neighbourhood. This allows India to tailor infrastructure projects to its specific needs and security concerns, ensuring alignment with national interests. However, this approach limits access to the Quad’s resources, expertise, and funding, potentially causing delays in project execution.
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