Forest Services
Introduction: 9th Indian Ocean Conference and EAM’s Address
The 9th Indian Ocean Conference convened in 2024 under the aegis of the India Foundation, bringing together representatives from 30 Indian Ocean littoral and partner states. The External Affairs Minister (EAM) delivered a keynote focused on “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance,” emphasizing the imperative of multilateral cooperation to maintain maritime stability, secure critical choke points, and foster sustainable economic growth amid a transforming global order.
This forum has evolved since 2016 into a flagship platform for dialogue on maritime security, economic cooperation, and environmental sustainability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper 3: Maritime Security, International Relations, Economic Development
- Essay Topics: India’s Maritime Strategy, Regional Cooperation in the Indian Ocean
- Prelims: UNCLOS, EEZ, Indian Ocean choke points, Sagarmala Programme
Legal Framework Governing Indian Ocean Maritime Security
India’s maritime governance is anchored in national statutes and international law. The Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981 regulates foreign fishing activities within India’s maritime zones. The Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 defines India’s sovereign rights over its maritime zones, including the EEZ which spans approximately 2.3 million square kilometers (Ministry of Earth Sciences, 2023). The Indian Ports Act, 1908 governs port operations and security.
At the international level, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982, to which India is a signatory, provides the legal regime for maritime jurisdiction, navigation rights, and dispute resolution in the Indian Ocean region.
Economic Significance of the Indian Ocean and India’s Maritime Initiatives
The Indian Ocean accounts for over 80% of global seaborne oil trade and 60% of container traffic (International Maritime Organization, 2023). India’s maritime trade volume constitutes nearly 95% of its total trade, valued at approximately USD 1.3 trillion annually (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, 2023). This underscores the ocean’s critical role in India’s economic security.
The government’s Sagarmala Programme, launched in 2015, has mobilized over INR 15,000 crore (USD 2 billion) to modernize port infrastructure and improve hinterland connectivity. This initiative has contributed to a 15% reduction in logistics costs and aims to sustain maritime trade growth at 7-8% annually (NITI Aayog Report, 2023).
Strategic Importance of Indian Ocean Choke Points
The EAM highlighted the vulnerability of maritime choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, through which nearly 30 million barrels of oil transit daily (Energy Information Administration, 2023). These narrow passages are critical to global energy security and trade flows.
India’s strategic calculus emphasizes securing these choke points through enhanced naval cooperation and maritime domain awareness, led by institutions like the Indian Maritime Security Centre (IMSC). The reduction of piracy incidents by 40% between 2018 and 2023 (IMB Piracy Report, 2023) reflects improved regional security collaboration.
Institutional Architecture for Maritime Cooperation
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): Coordinates India’s diplomatic engagement and promotes regional cooperation frameworks.
- Indian Maritime Security Centre (IMSC): Focuses on maritime domain awareness and operational coordination in the IOR.
- Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): Regional intergovernmental organization fostering economic cooperation, sustainable development, and maritime security among member states.
- International Maritime Organization (IMO): Sets global standards for maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.
- National Maritime Foundation (NMF): Provides policy research and strategic analysis on maritime security and governance.
Comparison: Indian Ocean Multilateralism vs South China Sea Bilateralism
| Aspect | Indian Ocean Region (IOR) | South China Sea (SCS) |
|---|---|---|
| Governance Approach | Multilateral cooperation via IORA and forums like Indian Ocean Conference | Bilateral assertiveness with overlapping territorial claims |
| Dispute Resolution | Emphasis on UNCLOS and dialogue-based conflict management | Frequent diplomatic tensions and militarization, e.g., China’s Nine-Dash Line claims |
| Security Cooperation | Collaborative maritime domain awareness and anti-piracy operations | Competitive naval build-up and strategic posturing |
| Economic Integration | Focus on connectivity, trade facilitation, and sustainable resource use | Contentious resource exploitation and restricted freedom of navigation |
Critical Gaps in Indian Ocean Maritime Governance
Despite robust diplomatic engagement, the Indian Ocean lacks a binding multilateral maritime security framework with enforceable mechanisms. This results in fragmented responses to non-traditional security threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, and environmental degradation. The absence of a unified legal or operational regime limits the region’s ability to address these challenges comprehensively.
Way Forward: Enhancing Collective Stewardship and Cooperation
- Institutionalize a binding maritime security framework under IORA with clear enforcement protocols.
- Expand joint naval exercises and intelligence sharing to sustain the decline in piracy and enhance domain awareness.
- Invest in sustainable fisheries management to protect livelihoods of over 40 million people dependent on Indian Ocean fish resources (FAO, 2022).
- Strengthen infrastructure under Sagarmala to improve resilience against supply chain disruptions at choke points.
- Promote inclusive economic linkages and revive historical cultural ties to deepen regional integration.
- India’s EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from its baseline as per UNCLOS provisions.
- India has sovereign rights over living and non-living resources within its EEZ but not full sovereignty.
- Foreign vessels have unrestricted fishing rights within India’s EEZ under international law.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- IORA is a regional organization exclusively focused on maritime security cooperation.
- India is a founding member of IORA since its inception in 1997.
- IORA promotes economic cooperation, sustainable development, and disaster risk management among member states.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Jharkhand & JPSC Relevance
- JPSC Paper: Paper 2 (International Relations) and Paper 3 (Economic Development)
- Jharkhand Angle: While Jharkhand is landlocked, the state’s mineral exports rely on maritime trade routes via Indian ports enhanced under Sagarmala.
- Mains Pointer: Frame answers highlighting India’s maritime strategy’s indirect impact on Jharkhand’s economic growth through port modernization and trade facilitation.
What is the primary legal instrument governing India’s maritime zones?
India’s maritime zones are primarily governed by the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, which defines the extent and rights over territorial waters, continental shelf, and EEZ.
How does the Sagarmala Programme contribute to India’s maritime economy?
The Sagarmala Programme modernizes port infrastructure and improves connectivity, reducing logistics costs by 15% since 2015 and aiming to increase maritime trade growth by 7-8% annually.
What role does IORA play in the Indian Ocean Region?
IORA is a regional intergovernmental organization promoting economic cooperation, sustainable development, and maritime security among Indian Ocean littoral states.
Why are choke points like the Strait of Hormuz critical for India?
Choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz are vital for India because they channel nearly 30 million barrels of oil daily, making them essential for energy security and uninterrupted maritime trade.
What is a major gap in Indian Ocean maritime security cooperation?
The Indian Ocean lacks a binding multilateral maritime security framework with enforceable mechanisms, resulting in fragmented responses to piracy, illegal fishing, and environmental threats.