INDIA. Mumbai: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for establishing multinational collaborative mitigation frameworks in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to effectively tackle common maritime challenges such as climate change, piracy, terrorism, drug trafficking, overfishing, and freedom of commerce on high seas on Monday.
Delivering the keynote address at the fourth edition of the three-day Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC), Singh emphasised that common maritime priorities need to be addressed cooperatively by avoiding selfish interests that make the region less secure and less prosperous. He stressed how crucial it is to abide by the international marine regulations set forth in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was established in 1982.
The conclave, which began on Sunday, is being attended by the Delegate in Charge of Defence, Comoros Mohamed Ali Youssoufa, and Chiefs of Navies/Heads of Maritime Forces, and Senior Representatives from eleven other Indian Ocean nations: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, the Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Rajnath Singh also pointed out the problem of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which has to do with overuse of resources.
Singh added that IUU fishing puts ocean ecosystems and sustainable fisheries at risk. It also jeopardises our economic security as well as regional and global food security. A international coordinated effort to compile and share surveillance data is urgently needed. It will aid in recognising actors who exhibit unusual or threatening behaviour, which must be vigorously opposed, he said.
Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, underlined the shifting nature of threats, both traditional and non-traditional, as well as those emerging from the sea. He went on to say that the GMC provides a valuable opportunity to establish effective mitigation plans against such dangers, ensuring peace and progress in the IOR.
The theme for the GMC is “Maritime Security in the IOR: Converting Common Maritime Priorities into Collaborative Mitigating Frameworks”. Several sessions are taking place during the conclave under the auspices of the Naval War College, Goa.
Interactions are being held with eminent speakers focusing on: Identifying Gaps in Regulatory and Legal Frameworks for Achieving Maritime Security in the IOR. Formulation of a Common Multilateral Maritime Strategy and Operating Protocols for GMC Nations, Identification and Establishment of Collaborative Training Programmes with Centre of Excellence across the IOR and Leveraging Activities Pursued Through Existing Multilateral Organisations in the IOR towards Generating Collective Maritime Competencies.
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