India’s recent triumph in international maritime affairs has placed it back onto the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, marking its unbroken service for the specialised United Nations (UN) agency. The 2024-25 re-election puts India in the category of ten nations with the “largest interest in international seaborne trade”. This article will delve deeper into the IMO and India’s significant role within it.
Understanding the International Maritime Organisation
The IMO is a dedicated UN agency that oversees vital aspects of shipping, including regulations and marine pollution prevention. Its inception followed a UN conference in Geneva in 1948, officially started functioning in 1958, and has since grown to include 175 member states and three associate members. India has been a part of its diverse body since 1959.
The primary function of the IMO is to build an effective, universally adopted regulatory framework for the global shipping industry. It also plays a crucial role in legal aspects, settling issues related to liability, compensation, and facilitating international maritime traffic. Moreover, the IMO commemorates World Maritime Day every last September Thursday to underscore shipping and maritime activities’ significance.
Structure and Work of IMO
The organization’s governance comprises an assembly of members meeting biennially and a council of 40 members elected by the assembly for a two-year term. The assembly is the IMO’s supreme governing body, while the council acts as the executive organ, primarily overseeing the organisation’s work in maritime safety and pollution prevention.
The IMO conducts its work through five committees and multiple subcommittees responsible for developing and adopting international conventions, codes, resolutions, and guidelines.
India’s Role and Vision Regarding IMO
India holds a spot in the IMO Council’s Category B, indicating its staunch commitment to maritime matters. The country’s Vision 2030 intends to escalate representation at IMO by positioning permanent representatives at IMO London.
Furthermore, the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 stipulates objectives to augment India’s global maritime influence. Initiatives incorporate forming a devoted IMO cell, stationing a permanent delegate at IMO headquarters, and executing the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Master Plan.
Reflecting on UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
A question in the 2015 UPSC Civil Services Examination Prelims questioned the candidates’ understanding of the organization. The query inquired about the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), examining the respondents’ grasp of the organization’s establishment and purpose. The correct answer indicated that the IOR-ARC was neither a recent response to piracy and oil spill incidents nor an alliance solely for maritime security.
