The envoy of Sri Lanka in India recently proposed that India and Sri Lanka should collaborate to form a structure for addressing maritime concerns. This comes in the wake of the Chinese satellite and missile tracking ship, Yuan Wang 5, docking at Hambantota Port.
Understanding Yuan Wang 5
Yuan Wang 5 is a third-generation vessel from the Yuan Wang series, commissioned into service in 2007. The series comprises of space tracking ships designed to support manned space programmes. These ships have the capability to track satellites and intercontinental missiles.
Hambantota Port: A Focal Point
Hambantota International Port Group represents a Public Private Partnership between the Government of Sri Lanka and China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPort). Following Sri Lanka’s failure to reimburse Chinese loans, the port was leased to China for a 99-year term. The move is viewed as an example of China’s “debt trap” Diplomacy.
The Essentiality of Maritime Security in India
Maritime security, although lacking a universally accepted definition, refers to issues in the maritime domain including national security, marine environment, economic development, and human security. This broad field doesn’t just concern the world’s oceans, but also regional seas, territorial waters, rivers, and ports.
Maritime security holds immense significance for the global community due to concerns such as sea piracy, illegal immigration, weapons smuggling, terrorist attacks, and environmental disasters. For India, with its sprawling coastline of over 7,500 km, it bears even greater importance. Owing to technological advancements, focus has shifted towards mitigating technological threats in the maritime region.
Presence of China: Cause For Concern?
China’s increasing presence has also raised concerns. In 2019, the Chinese research vessel, Shiyan 1, was spotted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Later, amidst the ongoing conflict in eastern Ladakh on the Sino-Indian border, China dispatched its Yuan Wang class research vessel into the Indian Ocean in August 2020.
India’s Efforts towards Maritime Security
India has initiated numerous measures to ensure maritime security. The Security and Growth for All (SAGAR) Policy, introduced by the Indian Prime Minister in 2015, is an integrated regional framework focusing on India’s role in enhancing maritime security capacities and economic resilience of countries in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
Mission SAGAR, launched in 2020, aimed at providing Covid-19 related assistance to countries in the IOR including Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles.
Compliance with International Law
In line with international law, India accepted a United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) tribunal award on the maritime boundary arbitration between India and Bangladesh. The agreement intended to foster effective international economic cooperation among littoral states of the Bay of Bengal (BIMSTEC).
Data Sharing: An Integral Component
Effective maritime security requires extensive data sharing on potential threats to commercial shipping. Towards this end, India established the International Fusion Centre (IFC) in Gurugram in 2018. Jointly administered by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, the IFC aims to generate Maritime Domain Awareness on safety and security issues.
A Multi-pronged Approach
India must adopt a multi-dimensional strategy to effectively counter China’s influence. This would include strengthening infrastructure, enhancing technological capabilities, and bolstering diplomatic ties to increase influence over the Pacific region, given China’s instability in the region.
Matching China’s Infrastructure Projects
India must focus on improving its infrastructure to compete with China, which is planning port construction projects in diverse locations like Israel, Djibouti in Africa, and Gwadar in Pakistan. For India’s economic progress, it’s crucial to enhance maritime infrastructure, including port development, connectivity, and logistics.
Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)
The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is a voluntary initiative aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation among the navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. It provides an open and inclusive platform for discussing regionally relevant maritime issues. The first IONS symposium took place in New Delhi, India in February 2008, chaired by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy.