At the fourth edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) on October 30, 2023, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized the pragmatic need for multinational collaborative mitigation frameworks in the Indian Ocean Region. This call to action is prompted by the growing urgency to collectively address a range of pressing maritime challenges, including climate change, piracy, terrorism, drug-trafficking, overfishing, and ensuring freedom of commerce on the high seas. His address at the GMC sets a measured and practical tone for the conclave, highlighting the necessity for cooperative efforts to secure the region’s shared interests and promote maritime security.
The GMC, a three-day event that commenced on October 29, 2023, has drawn participation from high-ranking delegates, including the Delegate in Charge of Defence from Comoros, Mohamed Ali Youssoufa, and Chiefs of Navies, Heads of Maritime Forces, and senior representatives from eleven other Indian Ocean nations, namely Bangladesh, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Singh stressed the significance of adhering to international maritime laws, as laid out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, to establish a free, open, and rule-based maritime order. He underlined that one should not determine rights in such an order, advocating that adherence to international laws and agreements must be a guiding principle. Succumbing to narrow, immediate interests by disregarding established international law can lead to a breakdown of civilized maritime relations. Thus, ensuring common security and prosperity necessitates the commitment of all nations to cooperatively adhere to legitimate maritime rules of engagement. This adherence is crucial for fostering collaboration and preventing any single country from dominating others in a hegemonic manner.
The minister also addressed climate change concerns, proposing a collaborative mitigation framework that encourages countries to reduce carbon emissions and transition to sustainable practices. He emphasized that overcoming this global problem requires all nations to accept responsibility by investing in green economies and sharing technology and capital with countries in need.
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), one critical issue raised by Rajnath Singh is Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which poses a threat to resource over-exploitation, ocean ecosystems, sustainable fisheries, and economic and food security. He stressed the necessity for multinational collaboration in compiling and sharing surveillance data to identify actors engaged in irregular or threatening behaviour, which should be met with resolute action.
To establish these mitigation frameworks effectively, he called for collaboration and the sharing of resources and expertise among nations. He made a distinction between narrow national self-interest and the mutual benefit that results from enlightened self-interest among all nations. The optimal outcome, he noted, often involves cooperation, trust-building, and mitigating risks, emphasizing that trust is developed through dialogues like GMC, joint exercises, industrial collaboration, sharing resources, and respecting international law.
Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi advocated cooperation among Indian Ocean Region (IOR) nations to ensure peace and prosperity in the region, praising the Indian Navy for its role in protecting maritime interests.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar highlighted the changing nature of threats, both traditional and non-traditional, emanating from the sea. He underscored the importance of the GMC in developing effective mitigation strategies against these threats to maintain peace and promote growth in the IOR.
Following his address, Singh visited the ‘Make in India’ stalls, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in indigenous manufacturing of state-of-the-art defence equipment and platforms.
The theme of this fourth edition of the GMC is ‘Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region: Converting Common Maritime Priorities into Collaborative Mitigating Frameworks.’ The conclave features various sessions held under the auspices of the Naval War College, Goa, with discussions focusing on identifying regulatory and legal gaps, formulating multilateral maritime strategies, establishing collaborative training programs, and leveraging existing multilateral organizations to enhance collective maritime competencies across the IOR.