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Why India must be the leading player in the Indian Ocean region |
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India is not a bit player in the Indian Ocean region, despite the increasing influence of China in the region. A reiteration of this came earlier from the minister of state for defence Rao Inderjit Singh. "Many nations depend on the waters of the Indian Ocean for trade and energy supplies and it is our duty to ensure that our littorals are not used in a manner prejudicial to our interests", he said.
The sea lines passing through the Indian Ocean are vital for economic growth, true. So, backing the Navys modernisation plan for a secure and stable environment makes eminent sense. But in parallel, India should also step up its multilateral engagement to make the region an engine for socio economic development and sound environmental management.
It is well placed to do so as a founder member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association or IORA, now a 21-member grouping, working to enhance sustainable development of an Indian Ocean blue economy. The members, all of which are from coastal or island or ocean states, are diverse and include Australia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Iran, besides India.
"We have kept politics out and there has always been consensus in decision making at IORA", K V Bhaghirath, Secretary General, IORA, and a former Indian Diplomat told ET. Both India and Australia were on the same page and infused a lot of dynamism at the IORA, helping it gain stature. Issues such as piracy had to tackled effectively, and IORA played an important role.
The opportunities are vast, given that oceans provide a substantial slice of the global population with food and livelihood, and are a means of transport for over 80 percent of the global trade. The marine environment is a key resource for the global tourism industry, and can create many jobs.
But the current levels of management of marine and coastal eco systems do not inspire confidence. So, IORA reckons it is important to look at ways to protect bio-diversity along with the proposals to develop the blue economy when its members put their heads together this week.
Mauritius is hosting the two day first ministerial blue economy conference, starting September 2.
Senior officials of IORA and dialogue partners to participate in the conference that will focus on four priority areas: include fisheries and agriculture, renewable ocean energy, seaports and shipping and off-shore hydrocarbons and sea bed minerals. The US and China are among the six dialogue partners.
Prime Minister Modi is said to have acknowledged IORA's role and initiatives. However, India, the vice chair at IORA, has not confirmed its participation in the conference, just yet. The uncertainty may be due to lack of coordination among various ministries, in this case the ministry of foreign affairs and finance. That's unfortunate. Given its commanding position in the Indian Ocean, India needs to work closely with the IOR to formulate a framework for unified growth, and demonstrate that it is not a bit player.
Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com
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