Indian Maritime policy is one of the most dynamic aspects of Indian foreign policy. The Indian state has continuously changed their stance towards the foreign policy. Before continuing our discussion on India’s adoption of this approach and what is The Sagar policy, as introduced by the Modi Government, it is imperative to first have a brief introduction on this topic.
Globalization has linked the world in greater ways than ever before, there is an extremely high level of inter connectedness and the world, has been converted into a global village. This is also coupled with an increasing desire as well as a need among all the different countries in the world to establish strong international relationships and also to be in a probable position to contest for a dominant position in the global world order. India’s swinging foreign policy can easily be encapsulated in the context of this understanding. India has been vigorously working on increasing her stature and position in the world affairs and maritime affairs seem to be occupying an extremely important position in that context. Indian maritime policy has been continuously: evolving: so as to sit the as well as respond to the changing requirements of the contemporary world order. International affairs thrive on the aspect of diplomacy, a goal that is largely being pursued in the workings of the Indian Maritime Policy.
To delve further into the aspect of Indian maritime policy, it is also essential to undertake the changing aspect of Indian dominance in the Indo-pacific region in consideration; India has transitioned from a sleeping tiger to a roaring lion, in this highly contested oceanic territory. India has expanded its expanse to not only include the eastern region of Bay of Bengal along with the ASEAN territory and beyond, but it has also moved towards the west so as to take in the expanse of the Arabian Sea and also the shores of certain African islands. India has been very diplomatic as well as mindful of its climatic as well as strategic move in this direction and has taken full cognisance of as aspects like security, protection, economic considerations as well as geopolitical contestations.
Indian Maritime Policy
India’s highly ambitious as well as stringently transitioning naval aspirations had a clear manifestation of themselves in the recent report by the India Navy titled as the Ensuring Secure Seas: Indian Maritime Security Strategy (November 2015). This report addresses all the issues as well as the concerns regarding the restructuring of the Indian Maritime Policy and hints at the dominant aspects that are being embedded in Indian military capability. Another novel term that has been associated with the Indian Maritime policy is the term of “diplomatic manoeuvring”. There is no rigid or fixed definition of this term. However, it encompasses the ambits of building up infrastructure and requisite strength for a developed maritime policy that serves as a strong counter to the increasingly dominant advent of Chinese strength as well as the danger of a potential Chinese invasion, owing to certain privacy concerns.
Indian Maritime Policy and Foreign Relations
Another new policy, that has been given birth to in the recent years by India is the Act West Policy. India has been following the Look East Policy, since quite a few years now, which primarily focuses on developing as well as cultivating good ties with the South East Asian Nations. This is in simple words, an attempt by India to formulate the position of a “big brother” or a dominant leader in the South Asian region. This policy was acted by the Narsimha Rao government during the year of 1991.This initial policy was known as the Look East policy which owing to its success has been reformulated by the Modi government as the Act East Policy in 2014. In a bid to increase and express this newly attained strength , India has in the recent scenario also set to establish its control over the West Asian Region, which is the “Look West Policy.” This policy is a very constructive approach in the context of global affairs. This policy might also be able to reinstate a positive relationship between India and Pakistan, as Pakistan can serve as an important transit route for this policy.
Indian Government Diplomacy and Political affairs have transitioned from being “reactive” to “proactive” and the maritime policy can be particularly associated with it. As is evident from the word “reactive”, this type of an approach is based on the premise of responding to any challenge that may have surfaced or taken place in the environment, in simpler words, it is based on solving or generating a solution to the problem that has occurred or has already taken place. The reactive foreign policy on the other hand is premised on the fact to find a solution before a problem has even posed itself. Hence, this approach is based on reacting to a problem before there is any occurrence of an unfavourable and/or undesirable event. Although, the difference between both these perspectives might seem to be minimal when one reads it on paper on a theoretical playground. However, there is quite a poignant difference between both the perspectives and in the practical scenario of the battleground of international relations; this case is even more intense. A country with a “reactive” bent of approach is ascertained to be a soft target and one that is underprepared or even unprepared to combat any challenge that it faces while a country with a “proactive” approach is not one to be targeted easily as to plan any attack or security damage on such a country is a highly strategic move.
The Sagar Policy
The “SAGAR”, maritime policy introduced by the Modi government is a policy that is based on the proactive approach. SAGAR stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. Hence, the acronym SAGAR. This policy was introduced on 10 May’2020, but it was announced by the Modi government on, 12th March’2015 and primarily stressed on co-operation in the Indian Ocean Region . This mission was mainly launched to provide Covid 19 assistance to the island nations of Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Comros and Maldives that is the Indian Ocean Littoral states. The Mission SAGAR is mainly committed to developing the maritime security of Seychelles. Littoral states are the states that are near a coast or a shore.
This is a highly strategic and diplomatic movie by the Indian Sub- Continent, to not only build up and strengthen India’s security further but also to develop and establish good ties with the Indian littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region. This movie also establishes a sort of triadic relationship between maritime security, strong foreign policy and economic development. Hence, this policy is very wide in its approach and cannot be restricted to one branch. India has been effectively working towards the Neighbourhood First Policy and the mission SAGAR works through the help of regional organisations like ASEAN, BIMSTEC, among many other such regional organisations. Another very important organisation, especially in the context of maritime security is the IORA, which stands for Indian Ocean Rim Association. This organisation was established in 1987 and is essentially an inter- governmental organisation that aims to strengthen regional co-operation and foster economic development. This organisation is a forum that also works towards the strengthening of co-operative and diplomatic relationships. The initial membership of this organization was 14 states; however this has now expanded to include 22 states.
Since, this organisation brings the various Indian Ocean states together, so as to promote maritime co-operation, it also has a significant role to play in mission SAGAR. Mission SAGAR stresses upon the role of the IORA as a facilitator of trade and fisheries management. It will also help in the strengthening of cultural as well as economic relations. This mission will also help in economic development by assisting trade, services as well as setting up as well as developing infrastructural projects. As mentioned earlier in the introductory paragraphs of this piece, the Indian Ocean region has become a space for heightened confrontations with all countries continually building up their strength so as to lay claims on this area. India is also in a bid to increase its power and strength, so as to win this apparent race based on geopolitical contestations.
India’s Mission SAGAR is a “major milestone in India’s engagement with the Indian Ocean Region.” To carry on the commencement and the processing of this mission, INS Kesari has successfully visited Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles to provide help to our neighbouring countries in response to any situation that have been brought by the pandemic. The assistance provided by India under Mission SAGAR also includes humanitarian assistance in the form of food supplies, fulfilling medical requirements, among many others. “The Ministry of External Affairs deeply appreciates the assistance and solidarity of the respective host Governments of the Republic of Maldives, the Republic of Mauritius, Republic of Madagascar, Union of the Comoros and Republic of Seychelles for their warm reception and logistical support to the Mission.” As mentioned on the official website of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
All said and done Mission SAGAR is a commendable and beautiful leap taken by the Indian Maritime Policy Makers and there are no two ways about it. Taking all these matters and points in consideration, it is essential to rectify the errors and start working towards the progressive implementation and execution of Mission SAGAR. The Government of India has embodied the future of Mission SAGAR as follows:
• First and foremost, there is a need of a legal agreement that pertains to the usage of marine genetic resources and is in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS)- this comes under the ambit of -Formulating A Coherent Government Programme;
• India needs to fulfil its duties and work effectively in the Indian Ocean Region Association and to work towards sustainable development- Working Towards Regional associations;
• India needs to work effectively towards the attainment of certain sustainable development goals and work towards a more integrated as well as holistic developmental approach;
Conclusion
Thus, India’s Maritime policy presently , taking the Mission SAGAR in consideration, is based on an approach that is an amalgamation of developing and maintaining an effective geostrategic position and also thereby, work effectively towards a more collaborative as well as co-operative approach in the regional sector. Our maritime capabilities are in great abundance and need effective utilisation.