A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a basic fact such as:

The Indian Ocean has emerged as a critical conduit for trade, commerce, and energy. The waters of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) have become a home for economic developments, disputes, conflicts, and competition for regional influence by regional and extra-regional powers.

The Indian Ocean remains a pivot, being the world’s busiest trade route. Around 80 percent of the world’s maritime oil trade passes through the IOR

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Security Challenges

• The Indian Ocean region faces many traditional and non-traditional safety and security challenges including piracy, armed robberies at sea, terrorism, human trafficking, irregular movement of persons, drugs trafficking, illicit trafficking in wildlife, trafficking of weapons, crimes in the fisheries sector such as IUU fishing, degradation of ocean health, unlawful exploitation of marine resources and climate change with its related repercussions on environmental security.
• The rise of China across the maritime region has compelled nations (including India) to reshape their maritime strategies.
• India’s geographical location in the Indian Ocean region (IOR) is crucial from strategic and economic points of view. The long coastline with deep-water ports, a prosperous Exclusive Economic Zone and islands at both ends present a unique position.
• The IOR accounts for more than two-thirds of the world’s oil shipments. One-third of bulk cargo and more than half of container traffic pass through it. The safety of these sea routes is not only directly connected to our economic interests, but it also establishes India as a net security provider in the IOR.