The news headlines reveal that India, alongside 50 African nations, recently accepted the ‘Lucknow Declaration’ during the inaugural India – Africa Defence Minister’s Conclave. This significant conclave happened as part of the DefExpo 2020 in the Indian city of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, which occurred from 5th to 9th February.
Key Insights from the Lucknow Declaration
The Declaration focuses on several key areas of mutual importance. All signatories pledged to continue cooperation in maintaining peace and security. The focus is on conflict prevention, resolution, management, and peacebuilding. A particular emphasis has been placed on promoting the role of women in these efforts.
Maritime Security
The participating nations aim to exchange expertise and personnel to bolster regional and continental early warning systems. By doing so, they intend to enhance their capacities and mechanisms to respond proactively to potential threats.
Counter-Terrorism Efforts
Given the significant threat posed by terrorism in the region, the nations have committed to taking decisive action. Their goal is to eradicate terrorism through removing financial channels and preventing cross-border terrorist movement. They encourage the international community to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The Indo-Pacific Concept
The countries involved have shown enthusiasm for encouraging increased cooperation between India and Africa on the evolving notion of the Indo-Pacific.
India’s Vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region)
Furthermore, the participating countries endorsed the African Union’s vision for peace and security in Africa, which aligns with India’s concept of SAGAR. SAGAR outlines India’s vision for the Indian Ocean and includes elements such as improving abilities to protect land and maritime territories, deepening economic and security cooperation in coastal regions, and taking action to address natural disasters and maritime threats like piracy and terrorism.
Compliance with UN Security Council Sanctions
The nations are focused on reinforcing the United Nations Counter-Terrorism mechanisms and ensuring stringent adherence to the UN Security Council’s sanctions regime on terrorism.
The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)
India has been championing an intergovernmental convention since 1996 to enhance prosecution and extradition of terrorists. While a consensus still remains elusive regarding the terrorism convention’s adoption, discussions have resulted in three separate protocols aimed at tackling terrorism: The International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, adopted on 15 December 1997; The International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, adopted on 9 December 1999; and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, adopted on 13 April 2005. These provide a promising foundation for future collaboration against the global issue of terrorism.