• UGI USER
  • Mar 19, 2024
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ALL EYES ARE NOW ON THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION

Why in the news?

The Indian Ocean region’s strategic significance is highlighted as focus shifts back from the Indo-Pacific, with China’s influence and India’s response scrutinised.

source:wordpress

About India’s Maritime Initiatives:

  • Disaster Management: Establishment of Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System post-2004 tsunami to prevent such disasters.
  • Anti-Piracy Operations: Indian Navy’s active role in UNSC-mandated Contact Group on Piracy since 2007 to combat piracy in western Indian Ocean.
  • Security and Growth for All (SAGAR) Policy: Unveiled in 2015 to enhance maritime security, economic resilience, and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean region.
  • Abiding by International Law: Acceptance of UNCLOS tribunal award on maritime boundary arbitration with Bangladesh.
  • Data Sharing: Establishment of International Fusion Centre (IFC) in Gurugram in 2018 for sharing maritime security data in the Indian Ocean region.
Key Features of the Indian Ocean:

●   Third largest water body globally, also called ‘sea of stability’.

●   Vital for international trade, carrying one third of bulk cargo traffic and two thirds of oil shipments.

●   Abundant in oil, natural gas, minerals; pivotal for economic vibrancy in Asia and Europe.

About Indian Ocean Rim Association:

●   Intergovernmental organisation for countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

●   Aims to promote economic cooperation and regional integration.

●   Focuses on initiatives related to trade, investment, and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean region.