The Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean: Maritime Security in a Multiplex World

The Indian Ocean offers a compelling lens through which to examine the evolution of maritime order in the 21st century. As the international system becomes increasingly decentralised and multilayered, a diverse array of states and organisations are shaping governance, security, and ideational frameworks across global, regional, and local levels. This article argues that the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) exemplifies the shift towards a multiplex, rather than a multipolar, world order, where power and influence are dispersed among a wider variety of actors, and that managing this complexity requires…