Forest Services
Context and Overview of the 9th Indian Ocean Conference
The External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India addressed the 9th Indian Ocean Conference held in 2024, a flagship forum initiated in 2016 by the India Foundation in collaboration with regional think tanks. The conference convened representatives from over 30 countries to deliberate on the theme “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.” The address underscored the imperative for enhanced multilateral cooperation to ensure maritime stability, safeguard economic lifelines, and address emerging geopolitical and environmental challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Key Priorities Highlighted by the EAM
- Maritime Stability: The Indian Ocean is a complex ecosystem sustaining economic activities, livelihoods, connectivity, and cultural heritage. Disruptions in this interconnected system threaten regional and global stability.
- Historical and Economic Linkages: Emphasis was placed on overcoming historical barriers and reviving traditional ties to strengthen economic cooperation and connectivity among Indian Ocean nations.
- Changing Global Order: The EAM noted the increasing global competition and fragmentation, prompting regional actors to seek resilient and reliable partnerships.
- Concerns over Choke Points: Physical and conceptual choke points, such as the Strait of Hormuz and Malacca, pose risks to uninterrupted maritime trade, necessitating cooperative management.
- Deeper Regional Cooperation: The Indian Ocean was described as a "Global South ocean" facing shared challenges that require collective responses.
Legal and Institutional Framework Governing Indian Maritime Domain
India’s maritime governance is anchored in a robust legal framework:
- Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (EEZ Act): Sections 3 and 4 define territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) limits (up to 200 nautical miles), establishing sovereign rights over marine resources.
- Indian Ports Act, 1908: Regulates port operations, ensuring security and efficient management of maritime infrastructure.
- Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981: Controls fishing activities within India's maritime zones to prevent illegal exploitation.
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982: India ratified UNCLOS, which provides the international legal framework for maritime boundaries, navigation rights, and resource entitlements.
- Navy Act, 1957 and Coast Guard Act, 1978: Govern the operational mandates of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard respectively, ensuring maritime security and law enforcement.
Economic Significance of the Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Ocean is critical to global and Indian economic interests:
- Over 80% of the world’s seaborne oil trade and 60% of container traffic transit through the Indian Ocean (International Maritime Organization, 2023).
- India’s maritime trade through this region is valued at approximately $300 billion annually (Ministry of Shipping, 2023).
- The Union Budget 2023-24 allocated ₹13,000 crore (~$1.6 billion) to port infrastructure and coastal shipping under the Sagarmala Programme, aimed at enhancing maritime logistics and connectivity.
- The Blue Economy contributes around 4% to India’s GDP, with projections to double to 8% by 2030 (NITI Aayog, 2022).
- Incidents of piracy in the Indian Ocean have declined by 40% between 2018 and 2023, reflecting improved naval cooperation (IMB Piracy Report, 2023).
Key Institutions Shaping Indian Ocean Governance
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): Formulates foreign policy and regional cooperation strategies.
- Indian Maritime Security Centre (IMSC): Coordinates maritime domain awareness and information sharing.
- Indian Navy: Ensures strategic presence and maritime security.
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG): Enforces maritime law, safety, and search and rescue operations.
- Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): A 23-member regional intergovernmental organization promoting economic cooperation and maritime governance.
- International Maritime Organization (IMO): UN specialized agency regulating maritime safety, security, and environmental standards.
Comparative Analysis: Indian Ocean vs European Union Maritime Governance
| Aspect | Indian Ocean Region | European Union |
|---|---|---|
| Multilateral Framework | Fragmented, non-binding cooperation among sovereign states | Integrated maritime policy under the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (2014) |
| Security Coordination | Lacks a binding regional security framework akin to NATO | Coordinated maritime security and defense cooperation among member states |
| Trade Efficiency | Significant but constrained by geopolitical competition and infrastructure gaps | 25% increase in maritime trade efficiency (2015-2023) |
| Environmental Management | Ad hoc initiatives, limited enforcement mechanisms | 15% reduction in marine pollution (2015-2023) via coordinated policies |
Critical Gaps in Indian Ocean Maritime Governance
- Absence of a binding, comprehensive regional maritime security framework leads to fragmented responses to piracy, illegal fishing, and geopolitical tensions.
- Inadequate institutional integration impedes real-time maritime domain awareness and joint operational capabilities.
- Economic disparities among littoral states limit uniform infrastructure development and connectivity.
- Environmental challenges such as climate change-induced sea-level rise and marine pollution require coordinated mitigation strategies.
Significance and Way Forward
- Establishing a binding regional maritime security architecture would enhance collective resilience and deter non-traditional security threats.
- Strengthening the Indian Ocean Rim Association’s mandate and capacity can foster deeper economic and environmental cooperation.
- Leveraging India’s Sagarmala Programme and naval capabilities to build regional infrastructure and conduct joint exercises will improve interoperability.
- Implementing integrated maritime domain awareness systems through IMSC and partner navies/coast guards will ensure timely threat detection.
- Addressing choke points through diplomatic engagement and infrastructure investments will safeguard uninterrupted maritime trade.
UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper 3: Maritime Security, Indian Ocean geopolitics, Economic Development, Environment and Disaster Management
- GS Paper 2: India’s Foreign Policy, International Organizations (IORA, IMO)
- Essay: India’s role in regional cooperation and maritime governance in the Indian Ocean
📝 Prelims Practice
Consider the following statements about the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976:
- The Act defines the territorial waters limit as 12 nautical miles from the baseline.
- The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the Act extends up to 350 nautical miles.
- The Act enables India to regulate fishing activities in its maritime zones.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct as territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles. Statement 2 is incorrect because the EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles, not 350. Statement 3 is correct as the Act empowers regulation of fishing activities.
📝 Prelims Practice
Consider the following about the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA):
- IORA has 23 member states from the Indian Ocean littoral.
- IORA operates under a legally binding treaty similar to the EU.
- IORA focuses on economic cooperation and maritime security.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is correct; IORA has 23 member states. Statement 2 is incorrect as IORA is not governed by a legally binding treaty. Statement 3 is correct; it promotes economic cooperation and maritime security.
✍ Mains Practice Question
Analyse the challenges and opportunities in achieving effective collective stewardship of the Indian Ocean Region. Discuss India’s role and initiatives in enhancing maritime governance and regional cooperation.
Jharkhand & JPSC Relevance
- JPSC Paper: Paper 2 (International Relations & Maritime Security)
- Jharkhand Angle: While Jharkhand is landlocked, its industrial sectors depend on maritime trade through Indian ports, linking it indirectly to Indian Ocean governance.
- Mains Pointer: Discuss how maritime security and port infrastructure development impact inland states’ economic growth and supply chains.
What is the significance of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976?
This Act defines India’s maritime zones, including territorial waters (12 nautical miles) and Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nautical miles), establishing sovereign rights over marine resources and jurisdiction for enforcement.
How does the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) contribute to regional maritime governance?
IORA is a 23-member intergovernmental organization promoting economic cooperation, sustainable development, and maritime security among Indian Ocean littoral states through dialogue and joint initiatives.
What are the major choke points in the Indian Ocean, and why are they critical?
Key choke points include the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and Malacca Strait. These narrow passages are vital for global energy and trade flows; disruptions here can severely impact international maritime commerce.
What role does India’s Sagarmala Programme play in enhancing maritime infrastructure?
The Sagarmala Programme aims to modernize ports, improve coastal shipping, and develop port-led industrialization, thereby increasing efficiency and connectivity in maritime logistics.
Why is there a need for a binding regional maritime security framework in the Indian Ocean?
Currently, fragmented security cooperation limits coordinated responses to threats like piracy and illegal fishing. A binding framework would enhance collective defense, intelligence sharing, and crisis management.