Thread by @darshanabaruah

Delighted to release the interactive map of the Indian Ocean Region- a key initiative of @CarnegieEndow #IndianOceanInitiative to help better visualize & understand the region, its players, dynamics and key facts.

bit.ly/39l6TJw

For far too long, the ocean has been divided under continental sub-regions hindering assessments on the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean as one region -from the eastern coast of Africa to the western coast of Australia.

To address these artificial divisions and help stakeholders visualize key data points across the Indian Ocean's full geographic expanse, we are thrilled to release this interactive tool highlighting the many dimensions, spheres, themes, and players in the Indian Ocean.

An often cited fact about the region is its importance as a key shipping route.

To help visualize this key data, we created a density layer mapping movement of energy vessels in the Indian Ocean in 2021. Take a look at southwest Indian Ocean

We have also identified the key chokepoints in the region, some known to be the most strategically important routes for energy shipping.

These chokepoints, along with the density layer, places the geographic importance of the region into better perspective

Another geographic question is key in understanding regional dynamics: who has what islands in the Indian Ocean and do they generate Exclusive Economic Zones?

This map identifies all island nations and island territories in the region marking their boundaries &EEZ

This first phase of the map is designed to visualize and provide a fundamental understanding of the region, from identifying islands, littorals, disputes, maritime boundaries, chokepoints, trading partners among other elements.

For more on the key takeaways from this phase of the map, read @CEDuckworth21 and my commentary below

bit.ly/3kv1hyX

We hope this interactive tool will help better understand the Indian Ocean and it's many dynamics in the 21st Century. Moreover, this is an effort to push for the need to view the region as one theatre instead of in silos.

bit.ly/3vygci6

For further details and analysis on the this project, please follow the Indian Ocean Initiative. We will continue to update and build on this map periodically highlighting different aspects including trade, military & climate change

carnegieendowment.org/specialproject…