Geography Question 2 : Indian Ocean, cooperation and rivalry
Course Question : « To what extent the Indian Ocean is both a place of international cooperation & rivalry ? »
Podcast Project: Indian Ocean News Roundtable
You are a team of student journalists hosting your own radio news show. Your theme: the geopolitics and dynamics of the Indian
Ocean. Together, you’ll create a group podcast where each journalist brings their own perspective, reacts to their peers, and keeps the
discussion lively — just like a real radio or TV roundtable.
How to organize your podcast Your objectives Evaluation criteria
1.Clearly introduce your source(s) (title, • Quality of analysis – relevance, depth, and
• Work in groups of three students.
origin, type, date). accuracy.
• Each journalist speaks for about 5 2.Explain what the source shows about the • Interaction – ability to react and engage with
minutes, presenting one or more articles, your peers.
Indian Ocean (trade, power rivalries,
videos, or reliable sources related to the
course topics. environmental issues, etc.). • Clarity and tone – clear language,
3.Analyze critically: Why is the source useful? professional yet lively delivery.
• After each presentation, the other
What does it explain well? What does it • Respect of timing – about 5 minutes per
journalists must react — ask questions,
add comments, or challenge the analysis miss? journalist
— to keep the discussion dynamic.
4.Engage your co-journalists: ask relevant • Deliverables – Submission of a group audio
questions, make links between topics, and le (MP3 or similar) and a brief show notes
• The total podcast should last 15–20
minutes. react to their ideas. page including the show title, names of the
journalists, and the list of sources used.
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The Indian Ocean, spanning 70.5 million square kilometres and constituting almost one fth of Earth’s surface water, has emerged as a
critical geopolitical and economic arena in the 21st century. This vast expanse stretches from Cape Agulhas in the west to Tasmania in
the east, bordered by Antarctica and the Southern Ocean to the south, and encompassing crucial marginal seas to the north. The region’s
strategic importance extends to include the Red Sea and the Mozambique Channel, offering a comprehensive view of its geopolitical
landscape.
Once considered peripheral, the Indian Ocean has transformed into a central hub of global activity, largely driven by the forces of
globalisation and the rise of emerging economies, particularly those within the BRICS group since 2001. Its pivotal role in connecting
European markets with Asian production centres has reshaped global economic governance and foreign policies, while simultaneously
fostering both cooperation and competition among regional and extra-regional powers.
This strategic waterway has become a focal point for international relations, serving as a stage where various nations pursue their
interests through both collaborative efforts and rivalrous actions. The region’s evolving dynamics raise important questions about its
global signi cance, the nature of regional and international competition, and the persistence of cooperative initiatives amidst growing
tensions.
This is why its interesting to dig our understanding of this Ocean and its geopolitical stakes into this question : « To what extent is the
Indian Ocean both a place of international cooperation and rivalry? »
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I ) Cultural and Economic Diversity in the Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Ocean region is characterized by signi cant disparities in
development among its constituent countries, as re ected in their varying
Human Development Index (HDI) scores. This index, ranging from 0 to 1,
combines measures of education, health, and standard of living to provide
a comprehensive view of socioeconomic progress.
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Several nations in the region are classi ed as LDCs, a designation
established by the UN in 1971 to identify countries with the lowest levels
of socioeconomic development. These countries typically have very low
HDI scores, indicating signi cant challenges in areas such as education,
healthcare, and economic development. Examples include:
• Mozambique
• Comoros
• Madagascar
• Tanzania
• Somalia
• Yemen
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Emerging Economies
Conversely, the region also hosts countries that have made
substantial progress in integrating into the global economy.
Notable among these are BRICS members South Africa and
India, which play in uential roles in global economic governance.
The Indian Ocean area offers attractive conditions for
Transnational Corporations (TNCs), including:
• Skilled yet affordable labor
• Access to resources and markets
• Favorable tax policies
• Political stability
Some territories have leveraged these advantages to carve out
speci c niches in the global economy. For instance, Mauritius
and Seychelles have established themselves as tax havens,
attracting international corporations seeking to optimize their
nancial operations. This strategy has contributed to economic
growth and the expansion of their middle classes.
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Extra-regional Powers
The strategic importance of the Indian Ocean has drawn the attention
of powers from outside the immediate region. Once dominated by
British in uence, the area now sees involvement from multiple nations:
•Since 2025, the Chagos Islands have been internationally recognized
as Mauritian territory, but the United Kingdom retains a 99-year lease,
during which the United States maintains a highly strategic military
base on Diego Garcia.
• China and European Union countries participate in joint naval
operations in the region.
These extra-regional actors are motivated by various interests,
including:
• Securing vital trade routes (such as the entry of Suez Canal)
• Protecting commercial networks
• Pursuing strategic military objectives
The presence of these powers adds another layer of complexity to the
region’s geopolitical landscape, highlighting its global signi cance in
terms of economics, trade, and security.
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