Maritime security important for India’s bilateral ties, says foreign minister
Monday, 23 March 2015 00:00
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Reuters: India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said maritime security is a key dimension of its bilateral ties with Indian Ocean rim countries and the existing trade potential between nations on the Indian Ocean can be increased through sectoral cooperation.
Swaraj was speaking after inaugurating an international conference on ‘India and Indian Ocean: Renewing the Maritime Trade and Civilisational linkages’ on Friday (20 March) in Bhubaneswar city in eastern state of Odisha.
“Maritime security is an important dimension of India’s bilateral relations with all Indian Ocean littoral states and through various formal and informal structures currently in place. We look forward to building closer cooperation in the maritime domain, regularise bilateral maritime exercises and strengthen the dialogues between the navy and the coast guards with all littoral countries in the Indian Ocean region,” said Swaraj.
The conference was attended by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik among others.
Swaraj added India values its trilateral maritime security cooperation with Sri Lanka and Maldives and is exploring possibilities of expanding it to include others in the Indian Ocean region, particularly in Seychelles and Mauritius. The foreign minister also said Indian navy has been playing an important role in this through increased bilateral and multilateral maritime exercises.
India looks forward to building closer cooperation in maritime domain, regularise bilateral maritime exercises and strengthen dialogs between the navies and coast guards with all littoral countries in the Indian Ocean region, she said adding that the region is also witnessing some hurdles.
“We see growing global stakes and presence in the region at the same time, the region is witnessing non-traditional threats such as natural disaster, piracy, terrorism, illegal fishing, oil split and the threats of climate change,” said Swaraj. The minister added existing trade potential between nations on the Indian Ocean can be increased via sectoral cooperation, pointing out the region hosts over 40 countries, with around 40% of the world’s population. Swaraj said as a founder member of the Contact Group on Piracy, India has been sensitive to the maritime security situation in the Gulf of Aden for the shipping lanes in this part of the Indian Ocean. Consequently, to protect Indian ships and Indian citizens employed in sea-faring duties, the Indian navy commenced anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and the sea routes of the Indian Ocean in 2008. “We are committed to maritime security, freedom of navigation and impeded lawful commerce and peaceful settlements disputes in accordance to international law. We are seeking a more cooperative and integrative future for the region through overall development of the ocean for the new economy.
