India must act as a unifier in the Indian Ocean Region | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

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India must act as a unifier in the Indian Ocean Region

2 min read

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.

  • Tags :
  • Maritime Diplomacy
  • Importance of the Indian Ocean
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