Stressing that this is the century of Asia and Africa, and the Indian Ocean Region is a vital economic space that both these continents share, India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday said that a new cooperative architecture for the common maritime space of the region that ensures security for its inhabitants, driven by current realities and the aspirations to lead better lives, is necessary to grasp the opportunity from the shifting economic currents.

Addressing the Goa Maritime Conclave on ‘Maritime Security and Emerging Non Traditional Threats: A Case for Proactive Role for IOR Navies’, Shringla also said the approach to maritime security articulated by Prime Minister Modi, the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), and the central ideas underlying India’s bilateral and plurilateral initiatives, constitute a complementary set of principles.

“These, together, with India’s commitment to UNCLOS and customary law of the seas, provide a direction and a framework for efforts to enhance public good in the Indian Ocean Region and the broader Indo-Pacific,” he said in an address to the naval chiefs and representatives from Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Maldives, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

He quoted Prime Minister Modi’s remarks at the UNSC Open Debate on Maritime Security, in which he had called for the creation “of a framework of mutual understanding and cooperation for the preservation and use of our common maritime heritage. No country can make such a framework alone. It can only be realized through a common effort.”

He outlined Modi’s vision of SAGAR wherein India called for a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific, based upon respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and adherence to international rules and laws.

“India’s concept of the Indo Pacific is inclusive in nature, and supports an approach that respects the right to freedom of navigation and overflight for all in the international seas.

“India’s Indo Pacific vision is premised upon the principle of ‘ASEAN-Centrality’, he stated. 

“India’s approach is based on cooperation and collaboration, given the need for shared responses to shared challenges in the region,” he said.

“The Indian Ocean Region, it is quite obvious, will face an increasingly complicated, rapidly evolving, and more demanding security situation, with an ever increasing battery of threats and uncertainties,” he said.

Shringla said the evolving security threats requires the Indian Ocean Region countries and especially their navies, coast guards and the maritime security agencies, to do more together.

“India stands ready and willing to do its share – and more – in tackling these problems,” he asserted.