Brazilian and Indian Maritime Security Issues differences in influence-building approaches

Abstract

Emerging powers have often employed diverse strategies
to gain influence in their regions. This article explores and
compares the maritime regional influence-building pro-
cesses spearheaded by Brazil and India. We identify geo-
political variables that influence the permanence of dis-
cursive region-building strategies that involve: sustained
interaction with coastal states; the generation of sufficient
maritime consciousness/awareness; strategic importance,
either in geopolitical or in economic terms; and acceptan-
ce of the proposing state’s claim to a leadership role bac-
ked by power projection capabilities. These concepts are
explored in the contexts of the South Atlantic and Indian
Oceans, revealing the limits imposed on influence-buil-
ding by geopolitical factors.