The open waters of the north Indian Ocean (NIO), which itself includes the Persian Gulf (PG), the Gulf of Oman (GO), and the Arabian Sea (AS), are subject to different meteorological forcing that can affect surface fluxes of these environments. In this study, latent heat flux (QLH), sensible heat flux (QSH), and surface wind stress (τ) between these regions are investigated. The reanalysis data from the data sets of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) for these three regions for 14 years (2013-2000) are used. The results are compared with the measured data in the GO that show ECMWF reanalysis data are more consistent with the measured data in this period. We compare the average monthly, seasonal and annual values of QLH, QSH and τ of the PG, GO, and AS. The annual averages of QLH for the PG, the GO, and the AS are -128.63, -118.76, and -118.03 (Wm-2) and the annual averages of QSH are -1.28, -3.88, and -5.67 (Wm-2) respectively. The annual averages of τ are 0.074, 0.075, 0.036 (Pa) for these areas respectively. Also the annual average SST is 27, 26.56, and 27.14 (⁰C) respectively for these areas. Based on the results, different regimes of the PG wind with dust storms, and the limited and semi-closed space of the PG with its shallow depth, leads to different behaviors of QLH and QSH in PG area, in comparison with the other two environments (namely GO and AS).

The Makran Coast (Iranian Coastline of the Oman Sea on the Northern Indian Ocean) plays an important role in country’s future navigation and trade due to its accessibility. In 2014, the Iranian Makran coastline was selected by the PMO to be studied as the Phase 6 in the series of Monitoring and Modelling Studies of Iranian Coasts with all disciplines being in investigated including currents. All previously measured current data (in 2006, 2007 and 2008) along the Makran coastline showed an oscillating (reversing) alongshore currents with no detectable dominant frequency. The oscillation period of these currents varies approximately from 3 days to a week. The most significant objective of this study was to simulate the oscillating behaviour of the Makran coastal currents. In this regard, the global oceanic current pattern over the Northern Indian Ocean was simulated using a 3-dimensional non-structured model and comparisons with the data from several global resources have been made. The model was calibrated using the available vertical current profile data along the coastline.

The expansion of the maritime borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran has increased the country's strategic depth. In the current situation, a suitable maritime strategy is one of the priorities of the system.In the present study, an attempt has been made to identify the factors influencing the development of the maritime strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran by using the descriptive-analytical research method and in a practical way after conducting theoretical studies and examining the maritime strategies of the key players in the northern Indian Ocean region. Consulting with eight selected experts related to the topic and obtaining opinions, a questionnaire was designed and compiled in the format of ten questions, the validity of the questionnaire was obtained through experts and its reliability was obtained by calculating Cronbach's alpha. The research questionnaire was distributed among the statistical sample of 58 senior managers of the Navy, and after collecting and obtaining their opinions, the data was analyzed using the structural equation method and Smart PLS software. And finally, the research questions have been summarized and evaluated. According to the results of this research, the most effective key factors of the maritime strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the maritime area of ​​the northern Indian Ocean, according to their average priority and weight, are five factors in the order of increasing deterrence power, providing security Maritime communication lines, optimization and updating of military equipment, display of power and interaction with regional actors and forces were determined.

The purpose of this research is to design and identify some of the natures and characteristics of high-resolution surface currents in the Northern Indian Ocean. The pattern of 3D circulation of the Wind-driven surface currents, Sea surface temperature (SST) and Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) distribution in the Northern Indian Ocean using The MIT general circulation model (MITgcm) with horizontal (2 arc-minutes) and vertical (20 Levels) resolutions during Monsoon was simulated and the model became stable after 17 years. This resolution is very accurate for the reproduction of ocean circulation and the eddy dynamics. Temperature, salinity, wind, net heat flux, evaporation minus precipitation as the initial data were introduced to the model. According to the results, an upwelling was characterized at 61° E-24° N near Chabahar in July, as well as a strong anticyclone take places at 56. 5° E-18° N which enters to the north Arabian sea after a clockwise rotation. The summer monsoon current flows eastward during the summer monsoon (May-August) and the winter monsoon current flows westward during the winter monsoon (November-February) and also, the jet of Ras Al Hadd at the Oman coast is identifiable in the model.

Maritime transport has become significant as the backbone of global trade and, consequently, globalization, which is the basis of the globalizing project of the economy, which, with an attitude of dependence on the development of countries and the international maritime trade lends more importance to maritime trade. Securing maritime trade, with the emergence of recent insecurity as the most important concern for the countries that benefit from this is one of the most important options for world trade due to its high transport capability, low cost, and ease of transportation. As a result of the vast dependence of countries on maritime trade, there are various problems, such as piracy and environmental pollution, which, in turn, has become a global downfall. Modern piracy has new patterns. Although the nature of the crime is the very essence of this activity, the context for replacing these changes is to be considered. Piracy and robbery not only can stop the logistics chain from leading to economic consequences, but also it will lead to the loss of life, short-term and long-term health problems for seafarers and travelers; the consequences that need more analysis. In this article, we have tried to investigate the history of piracy and analyze the pathology of this global problem and give solutions for the issue.

Tropical cyclones develop over the north and south part of Indian Ocean because of the geographical and weather conditions. It causes irreparable damage to human life and economy on coastal areas. This study investigates the energy of ocean surface waves generated by the surface wind field of tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean using satellite altimeter measurements and the semi-empirical Kudryavtsev model by considering “ trapped fetch” . The translational velocity and information of tropical cyclones were obtained from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) best-track data and Jason 1 and Jason 2 satellites data set for 18 tropical cyclones between 2003 and2013. The results of this study indicate that the semi-empirical model suggested by Kudryavtsev in 2015 can be used to investigate and simulate unusual waves generated by tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean.

Features which make some straits internationally important and center of strategic–geopolitical attentions of regional and world powers in order to have perfect control on such straits or at least could dominate them, include two factors which one of them is economical-divided into two parts of energy and trade-and another one is martial factor. These factors have significant effects and issues on straits and study of strategies in order to optimize these effects and issues would make these straits as places for competition of powers. But importance of strategic straits has been changed during history and world political models have been changed by technological developments. Therefore, study of relation between power, policy and geography in important straits requires considering these straits in all aspects and also geopolitics of the world.Today, straits located in Indian Ocean, especially Malacca Strait play more geoeconomical role in the world. Therefore, increase of maritime trade and relevant strategic interests has made Indian Ocean and its strategic straits interesting and important to commercial countries and great powers of region and world. Their geographical area would be complicated arena of cooperation, competition and conflict of interest between world, regional, national and transnational powers. Each of these powers, depend on their strategies and adopted policies, tries to apply its power and influence to such straits.

Southwest Asia and North Indian Ocean are important and strategic regions of the world, which are of great importance in terms of geopolitics and geoeconomics. The question raised in this research is, what is Iran's naval strategy to increase sea power in Southwest Asia and North Indian Ocean? In response to this question, The author expresses that according to the general policies of sea-oriented development, Iran's maritime strategy is not hegemonic, but a peaceful and cooperative strategy. To implement this strategy, Iran has two opportunities: transportation and energy, which will expand its maritime credibility and become the foundation of Iran's maritime power. However, the Islamic Republic of Iran is facing obstacles from its competitors in the region to use these two mentioned opportunities. Despite this, one of the main goals of Iran's competitors is to isolate the country. They are looking for the Islamic Republic not to use the two mentioned opportunities, so that the country will be in economic trouble and lack of global acceptance and cause the reduction of Iran's presence in the sea. It also provides the arena for other regional and extra-regional forces.Therefore, the solution for Iran's strong presence in both transportation and energy sectors is to activate Chabahar port and pay attention to regional and extra-regional energy needs. Qualitative method, library and internet sources have been used to investigate my research.

The Indian Ocean has received new attention over the recent years because of its economic and strategic importance. The region is seen as a theatre for great power rivalries mainly among the United States, China, and India. In this regard, this paper assesses how the Indian Ocean region is coping with the challenges of global powers such as the U.S, India and China and its very different effects on states and ports around the ocean's rim. Therefore, it seems that the Indian Ocean is becoming a more critical area in the 21st century, when measured by the international energy and commerce that crosses its waters. It is important to emphasize that the Indian Ocean's strategic economic value is linked primarily to global trade; less than one-quarter of its trade is among the littoral states, and the economic value of coastal subsistence activities is a modest portion of national income. In view of this importance, the present article reviews the importance of the Marine Zone, dimensions and dynamics of each of the countries under study, with a focus on the United States of America.

AbstractWhile the Asian emerging countries are changing the international distribution of power by acquisition of material resources, Intra-Asian dynamics have been affected by the rapid rise of India and China during the shift of international power towards Asia. In drawing the future horizons, these two powers consider international water areas as a necessary component for gaining global power. During the last decade, the Indian Ocean, as an emerging field in international open seas, has become the center of competition between these two countries. However, the existing works have not provided a comprehensive picture of India and China competition in the Indian Ocean. This article, using data analysis method, examines the maritime relations between the two states under the influence of the mounting China appearance in the Indian Ocean. To answer the question of what are the effects of China's emergence in the Indian Ocean on India-China maritime relations? This article claims that China's increased role in the Indian Ocean has created a new round of strategic competition between the two states. In this regard, it argues that India in response to Chinese implementation of advanced maritime strategies, trade and investment network, modernization of the military force, and development  of ports and naval bases in the Indian Ocean, through increasing maritime capabilities, deepening relations with the marginal and island countries of the Indian Ocean, and forging strategic partnership with China's competitors in the framework of the Indo-Pacific maritime landscape, take balancing measures against China.Extended abstract1- INTRODUCTIONGiven the power shift towards Asia in recent era, Intra-Asian dynamics are pivoted towards the simultaneous rise of India and China aspiring to acquire some of the most important material resources of power. During the last decade, India and China consider that playing an effective role in the Indian Ocean, one of the emerging areas of international waters, is an essential factor of gaining the status of global power. However, the existing works have not provided a comprehensive picture of India and China competition in the Indian Ocean. This article, using data analysis method, examines the maritime relations between the two states under the influence of the mounting China appearance in the Indian Ocean. To answer the question of what are the effects of China's emergence in the Indian Ocean on India-China maritime relations? This article claims that China's increased role in the Indian Ocean has created a new round of strategic competition between the two states. In this regard, it argues that India in response to Chinese implementation of advanced maritime strategies, trade and investment network, modernization of the military force, and development of ports and naval bases in the Indian Ocean, has taken balancing measures against China by increasing maritime capabilities, deepening relations with the marginal and island countries of the Indian Ocean, and forging a strategic partnership with China's competitors in the framework of the Indo-Pacific maritime landscape.2- THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKSupremacy and dependency in the international system is directly related to the dominance of open waters by only a handful of superpowers. According to Walter Raleigh’s[1], “dominating world trade through command the sea”, Alfred Mahan’s[2] “the transformation of nations into great powers through influence of the sea”; and Barry Posen's “overarching dominance of the United States through the exercise of global power over the sea”, sea plays an important role in the empowerment of political units. Historically, European primacy in the colonial period, the Soviet Union and the United States competition during the Cold War, and the United States’ comprehensive power in the international system have been made possible by the superiority in the open seas. The theoretical framework of "water and the empowerment of great powers" is a useful theory for explaining the strategic relations between India and China in the Indian Ocean.3- METHODOLOGYData analysis includes methods of obtaining results through the processing of data. "Analysis" means breaking the whole into separate parts in order to understand its main characteristics, and "Data" refers to a set of values based on the interaction of "Data item", "Data unit" and “Data observations”, appears in numerical and descriptive form. In this method, relations of the variables are carried out in the five steps: defining question, collecting data, removing irrelevant data, analyzing data and visualizing results. Data analysis is used to examine the data related to China-India maritime competition in the Indian Ocean.4- RESULTS & DISCUSSIONThe Indian Ocean is one of the most important epicenters of China and India competition in the open seas. About 67% of energy import, more than 90% foreign trade, and threats from extra-regional powers (the United States), regional powers (India), failed states, piracy, and terrorism have turned the Indian Ocean into a strategic area for China. Therefore, China through the “advanced maritime strategies” in the economic (Belt-Road) and military fields (“management of the seas and oceans”), military spending and marine modernization, forming a chain network of military and logistic ports, improving relations with the coastal and island countries of the Indian Ocean in the framework of the economic packages of “Silk Road Economic Belt” and “Maritime Silk Road of the 21st Century”, has played an active role in the Indian Ocean. In return, the Indian Ocean has an inherent value for India in terms of strategic depth expanding, superior power reconstructing, an economic gateway and a cultural bridge to neighboring countries. China's permanent and complete access to the Indian Ocean and India's strategic containment is India's main concern and driver to increase its competitiveness and balance against China. In this regard, India increased naval spending and capabilities, strengthened the command of naval forces in the Indian Ocean (Coco, Andaman and Nicobar Islands), established a coastal radar chain in the Indian Ocean, expanded naval bases in the countries with strategic positions to confront China (the diamond necklace strategy), sent its ships in China's strategic backyard, deepened relations with the marginal and island countries of the Indian Ocean, and participated strategically with the United States, Australia and Japan as China's competitors in the framework of Indo-Pacific approach (India-Japan-United States, India-Japan-Australia-United States, India-Japan-Australia).5- CONCLUSIONS & SUGGESTIONS China and India after centuries of lagging behind European and American countries, have taken a high rise in the direction of becoming an international power. In this regard, they are clearly seeking to achieve supremacy in Asia by dominating the international waters of the Indian Ocean. The importance of examining India-China maritime behavior originates from the fact that their naval competition in the Indian Ocean has strategic effects on the redistribution of power in Asia and then the future regulation of the international system. The findings of this article, while emphasizing the deep and inevitable effects of the mentioned maritime competitions on the India-China current political equations in the Asian continent, provide the basis for presenting a detailed analysis, identifying threats and enumerating its opportunities. This issue requires further future studies based on a scholarly and scrutinizing approach.