For a maritime nation like India, the idea of maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and specifically the way it is approached have a long history. The colonial era is where the present Indian Navy got its start. But it is the post-colonial age, which spans independence, the Cold War imperatives, the interim phase following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and today’s strategic alliances, that has contributed to shaping the Indian perspective on marine security. This article examines how these adjustments and difficulties have impacted India’s understanding of maritime security in the IOR.