The Port of Berbera and Geopolitics of the Western Indian Ocean
| Published date | 01 July 2023 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/00208817231202305 |
| Author | Sankalp Gurjar |
| Date | 01 July 2023 |
https://doi.org/10.1177/00208817231202305
International Studies
60(3) 313 –327, 2023
© 2023 Jawaharlal Nehru University
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DOI: 10.1177/00208817231202305
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Research Article
The Port of Berbera
and Geopolitics of the
Western Indian Ocean
Sankalp Gurjar1,2
Abstract
The article discusses the importance of upgradation and modernization of the
port of Berbera in the context of evolving geopolitics of the Western Indian
Ocean (WIO). The modernization of the Berbera is a part of the larger processes
of geopolitics of seaports which is being played out in the WIO. Strategically
important location of Berbera has always attracted foreign powers and in the
contemporary geopolitics, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is playing a key role.
The port of Berbera aspires to emerge as an important trans-shipment hub in the
Gulf of Aden and the port development has geopolitical as well as geo-economic
significance. In the development of the port and supporting infrastructure in and
around Berbera, interests of Somaliland, Ethiopia and UAE converge. Therefore,
the article focuses on the interests of these three powers in the context of the
evolving geopolitics in the region.
Keywords
Western Indian Ocean, Maritime security, Bab-el-Mandeb, geoeconomics, geopolitics,
middle east
Introduction
In June 2021, phase 1 of the modernization of the port of Berbera in the self-
governing territory of Somaliland was inaugurated. DP World, a company backed
by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has developed the port and is going to
operate it for the next three decades. The inaugural ceremony was attended by
high-level dignitaries from Somaliland including its President, Ministers of
Finance and Transport from neighbouring Ethiopia and top officials of the DP
1Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi, India
Corresponding author:
Sankalp Gurjar, Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher
Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
E-mail: sankalp.gurjar@gmail.com
2Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education,
Manipal, Karnataka, India
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