The recent news story focuses on the Indian Navy ship, INS Sunayna, which arrived in Port Victoria, Seychelles to be part of the annual training exercise Operation Southern Readiness. The exercise is organized by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), and this marks the first participation of an Indian Navy ship. This participation strengthens the commitment of the Indian Navy to maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Understanding Combined Maritime Forces
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multinational maritime partnership. It primarily functions to maintain the Rules-Based International Order (RBIO). To achieve this, it counters illicit non-state actors active on international waters, thereby promoting stability, prosperity, and security across about 3.2 million square miles.
These waters encompass some of the world’s most crucial shipping lanes. A U.S. Navy Vice Admiral commands CMF, reflecting its global significance.
Member Nations of CMF
The membership of CMF spans across continents involving 34 nations. These include Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, and Yemen. Notably, India is not a part of this list; however, it has recently revealed its decision to join CMF as an Associate Partner during the India-US 2+2 dialogue held in April 2022.
Primary Focus Areas of CMF
The central areas of focus for CMF include counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, suppression of piracy, and fostering regional cooperation. They actively engage with regional partners and others to enhance relevant capabilities that could strengthen overall maritime security and stability.
Moreover, CMF is also committed to responding to environmental and humanitarian incidents at sea when necessary. This breadth of operation underlines their commitment not only to maritime security but also to the larger issues impacting international waters.
The participation of INS Sunayna in Operation Southern Readiness demonstrates increasing cooperation between India and CMF. This association with CMF could pave the way for India’s increased role in promoting maritime security and stability in the region.