- Intro- “Whoever controls the Indian Ocean, dominates Asia. This ocean is the key to the seven seas. In the Twenty – First century, the destiny of the world will be decided on its waters”-Alfred Mahan (on Indian Ocean)
- Lord Curzon understood that India’s security and greatness were intimately tied to the maritime routes and choke points connecting it to Europe and the Far East. In his words “lose control of these and India would be hostage to its strongest landward neighbor.”
- 5 pillars of SAGAR-
- India’s role as a net security provider in the IOR
- Active engagement with friendly countries in IOR
- Developing a network to take effective collective action for advancing peace and security in the region
- Integrated and a cooperative focus for sustainable development of all countries in the region
- Primary responsibility for peace and stability in IOR will be on those “who live in the region.”
- PM Modi has highlighted Indian approach to Indian ocean-
- Deepening economic and security cooperation with “our friends” in the region to strengthen maritime security capacities
- Leveraging institutional mechanisms such as IONS
- Need for development of blue economy with special focus in climate change
- He called for a new approach to the role of external powers in securing Indian ocean
- There is a need to have a climate of trust and transparency, respect for international maritime rules and norms by all countries, sensitivity to each other’s interests, peaceful resolution of maritime issues and increase in maritime cooperation
- This is the century of Asia and Africa. The Indian Ocean Region is a space that both these continents share. It bridges two very consequential economic spaces
- PM Modi at UNSC, August 2021
- listed 5 points for maritime security (BDTMC)
- Removing barriers for maritime trade
- Disputes should be solved peacefully in accordance with international law
- Jointly tackle maritime threats from non state actors and natural disasters
- Conversation of marine resources
- Responsible maritime connectivity for maritime trade
- SJ in his TIW- For India, getting its Indo Pacific approach right rest on ensuring that it works out its Indian ocean strategy even more correctly
- Nontraditional security issues such as climate change, illegal fishing, drug smuggling, and human trafficking will come to play a bigger role in the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean.
- Always draw the below diagram indicating crucial choke points and need for India to have a hold on these choke-points
- India’s initiatives-
- IONS
- IORA
- Observer of Indian ocean commission
- Military logistics agreements with various countries
- SAGAR
- IFC-IOR : France has already posted a liason officer and quad countries are soon to follow
- Malabar exercise in Indian ocean
- conclusion- PM Modi at shangri la dialogue - oceans had an important role in India's thinking since pre vedic times. It now holds key to our future.
- Further reading -
- https://lawschoolpolicyreview.com/2021/01/22/the-indian-ocean-as-a-region-of-future-contestation/
- https://www.orfonline.org/research/jaishankar-reaches-out-to-delhis-indian-ocean-partners/?amp&__twitter_impression=true
- https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/china-indian-ocean-region-fleet-india-peoples-liberation-army-navy-foreign-policy-naval-expansion
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