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A Revitalized US Indian Ocean Strategy Cannot Ignore Africa

The article argues that the United States’ Indo‑Pacific strategy is incomplete because it largely ignores the western Indian Ocean and Africa, where China has established a growing military footprint, notably its base in Djibouti and expanding ties in Mauritius and the Maldives. It critiques recent U.S. documents for omitting India and African security concerns, warning that this gap could undermine the goal of a free and open Indo‑Pacific. The author proposes a deeper U.S.–India partnership that leverages Indian naval expansion along Africa’s coasts to counter Beijing’s influence and protect critical mineral resources. Concrete suggestions include new bases in Zanzibar, Mombasa, and northern Madagascar.