Importance of the Indian Ocean
K M Panikkar emphasized the Indian Ocean’s crucial role for India, underscoring the lack of regional forums and institutions for cooperation and security due to diversity and self-interest.
Regional Challenges and Initiatives
- Attempts to create a unified geopolitical space have resulted in numerous organizations (IORA, SAARC, BIMSTEC, IPOI, CSC, IONS), but with limited success.
- The emergence of the “Indo-Pacific” paradigm has redirected focus away from these initiatives.
- The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) has gained traction as a consultative forum focusing on "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR).
Keynote Address by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
- Jaishankar highlighted geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and South China Sea.
- Emphasized the importance of adhering to agreements for stability.
- Discussed economic, developmental, environmental, and maritime security issues affecting the IOR.
- Cited 10 examples of India’s contributions through maritime diplomacy.
Role of Indian Navy and Maritime Diplomacy
- The Indian Navy’s 2007 Maritime Strategy focuses on using warships to support foreign policy.
- India needs to leverage military power more effectively to advance foreign policy.
- India’s maritime diplomacy was notably demonstrated during the 2004 Asian Tsunami.
- The Navy’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts left a lasting impression in the region.
Future Directions
- India should develop a fully funded security and HADR programme, including amphibious heavy-lift capability and a hospital ship.
- Coordination between the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs is crucial for timely assistance.
- India has enhanced its Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capability to support regional partners like Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
Significance of Maritime Diplomacy
- Maritime diplomacy serves as a flexible tool for conveying messages and influencing events, ranging from peaceful cooperation to compellence and deterrence.
- Warships, although not designed for diplomatic roles, have attributes that make them effective diplomatic tools.
- The evolving international environment emphasizes the increasing importance of maritime diplomacy in conflict resolution and prevention.
- A strategic approach involving navies, bureaucracies, diplomats, and statesmen is needed within a national security strategy framework.
- A “whole of government” approach is required but is still developing in India.
The article concludes by advocating for a comprehensive governmental strategy to fully utilize maritime diplomacy’s potential.