Context: Recently, India has joined the Djibouti Code of Conduct/ Jeddah Amendment (DCOC/JA) as Observer.

• India is looking forward to working together with DCOC/JA member states towards coordinating and contributing to enhanced maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

About Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment

• It is a grouping on maritime matters comprising 18 member states adjoining the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the East Coast of Africa and Island countries in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The DCOC/JA Member Nations include Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Jordan, Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Maldives, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mauritius, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Somalia, Seychelles, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen.
• It is a regional maritime security cooperation agreement established by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2008. 
• It is aimed at repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean Region, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
• The Jeddah Amendment recognizes the important role of the “blue economy” including shipping, seafaring, fisheries and tourism in supporting sustainable economic growth, food security, employment, prosperity and stability.
• The Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct 2017 was signed by 12 of the 17 participating States.
• The 12 States who signed were: Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Jordan, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen.
• The Amendment has since been signed by Kenya, Somalia and Mauritius as well.
• India has joined Japan, Norway, the UK and the US as Observers to the DCOC/JA.

Significance of India Becoming an Observer

• Boosting its Indian Ocean Outreach: As India is strengthening its position in the Indian Ocean and nearby waters as part of its overall Indo-Pacific policy, this move will help it in increasing its strategic footprints in Western and Eastern Indian Ocean besides Eastern African coastal states.
• Blue Economy: Blue economy is one of the key areas of the Jeddah Amendment.
• It refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.
• India has also focussed on the growth of the blue economy through its framework of Indian Ocean Rim Association and DCOC may be another step in that direction.
• India-China: China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, its claim in the East China Sea and its rapid advance into the Indian Ocean through ambitious strategic and economic initiatives like the String of pearls and Belt-and-Road Initiative may pose a threat to india.
• Further, China is modernising its military base at Djibouti.
• Given India’s stakes in Indian ocean and rising Indo-China conflicts, it is very significant for India to develop blue-water naval capabilities.