Context: India’s leadership in the debate on maritime security has boosted its standing as a key player in the shared commons.
Background:
Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the UNSC HighLevel Open Debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security: A Case For International Cooperation”, convened by India.
Describing the oceans as a common heritage for humankind and a lifeline for the future of the planet, he charted out the significance of India in tackling the challenging maritime environment.
Significance of India in ensuring maritime security:
India’s historical and civilisational links in maritime relations:
The very word navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word “navgath”.
India’s maritime history goes back to trade with Mesopotamia 4,500 years ago. Lothal was a key maritime centre of the Indus Valley civilisation.
Kutch and Kathiawar, as well as the Malabar coast, enjoyed ancient links to Africa.
In the 15th century, Vasco de Gama was piloted to the west coast of India from Zanzibar by a Gujarati seaman.
Buddhism and Hinduism spread to Southeast Asia by the maritime route. Even Islam took the maritime route from India to Southeast Asia.
Maritime security as India’s strategic priority:
Geographical factors: India has a natural seaward orientation with a long coastline and large island chains spread-eagled across the Indian Ocean.
Strategic factors: India’s natural interests stretch across both the Indian and Pacific Oceans as reflected in its inclusive Indo-Pacific vision, reiterating the relevance of SAGAR (Security And Growth For All In The Region).
Freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce is key to the spread of prosperity: Critical supply chains depend on the concept of mare liberum (open seas).
Global trade and economy depends on maritime security:
90% of global trade is conducted on the high seas, and it continues to be the most cost-effective mode of transport.
Disruption of sea lanes of communication has global repercussions: The blockage in the Suez Canal in 2021 interrupted the flow of trade worth billions of dollars.
Today, a naval blockade at any choke-point in the Indo-Pacific could prove catastrophic.
Towards peaceful dispute settlement: Rooted in India’s values of peace and non-violence.
Lead by example: India’s acceptance of the award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2014 paved way for India and Bangladesh to put aside their maritime dispute and forge closer ties.
Emphasis on the primacy of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): As the legal framework governing all maritime activity.
Furthering disaster management cooperation: India can play a leadership role as
India’s role as ‘first responder’ in the Indian Ocean: Successful in thwarting piracy or providing relief after the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.
The Indian Navy’s state-of-the-art Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) based in Gurugram hosts officers from the US, Japan, France, Australia and the UK.
The Indian Navy regularly offers a large number of training slots to friendly countries.
Addressing environmental concerns:
Plastic pollution is choking all forms of marine life, poisoning the entire food chain endangering the lives of millions. There’s need for furthering innovations and investment to address the issue.
Development of connectivity and infrastructure: Heightened over concerns on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
India stands for openness and transparency in the execution of projects, based on local priorities, with in-built fiscal viability and environmental sustainability.
The US, Japan and Australia are also promoting better standards for global infrastructure through the Blue Dot Network.