Context: In this episode of The Big Picture based on Maritime Security Challenges. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has flagged India's concerns on Maritime Security. In ADMM-Plus Rajnath called for rule based order in Indo-Pacific and raised the issue of freedom of navigation in SCS. India also sought adherence to international rules and laws. In this episode we will discuss and analyse all aspects of this issue.
About ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus

• The ADMM Plus is an annual meeting of the defence ministers of 10 ASEAN countries and eight dialogue partner countries -- Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States. 
• Brunei is the ADDM Plus forum’s chair this year.

India's defence Ministry Speech

• He called for freedom of navigation, overflights and unimpeded commerce in the South China Sea where the Chinese Navy is flexing its muscles.
• He called for an open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific based upon respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of nations.
• He also stressed on “peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue”.
• He said maritime security challenges are an area of concern for India, adding that sea lanes of communication are critical for peace, stability, prosperity and development of the Indo-Pacific region. 
• He said that India hopes that the code of conduct negotiations will lead to outcomes that are in keeping with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and do not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations that are not party to these discussions.
• “Premised on the centrality of Asean, India supports the utilisation of Asean-led mechanisms as important platforms for implementation of our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific,”.
• “Key elements of this policy are to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region through continuous engagement at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels,”.

India’s Stakes in Maritime Domain

• Opportunity of coalition building for strategic exploration: The maritime sphere is wide open to India to undertake coalition building, rule setting, and other forms of strategic exploration in contrast to continental sphere where India seems to be hemmed in by China-Pakistan collusion.
• Strategic Indo-pacific geopolitical position of India: India is located right at the centre of the Indo-Pacific geopolitical imagination, in the midst of the oceanic space spanning “from the shores of Africa to that of the Americas”.
• Growing great power interest in the maritime sphere: Unlike in the continental sphere, there is a growing great power interest in the maritime sphere, especially with the arrival of the concept of ‘Indo-Pacific’.

The Euro-American interest in India’s land borders with Pakistan and China is negligible, and there is little any country can do to help India in its continental contestations.

• The situation in the maritime sphere is the exact opposite i.e. the great powers remain ever more interested in the maritime sphere and this interest has grown substantially since the coinage of Indo-Pacific.

Beijing’s bullying behaviour in the South China Sea: The Beijing’s bullying behaviour in the South China Sea has generated a great deal of willingness among the Euro-American powers and the countries of the region, including Australia and Japan, to push back Chinese unilateralism.

• It provides New Delhi with a unique opportunity to enhance its influence and potentially checkmate the Chinese ambitions in the region.

Promotion of India as regionally active major power in Indian Ocean: The Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) seeks to differentiate India’s leadership from the modus operandi of other regionally active major powers and to reassure littoral states as India’s maritime influence grows.
Challenges in Maritime Sphere

• Over emphasis on continental sphere and negligence of maritime sphere: The New Delhi’s excessive focus on the continental sphere since Independence has not yielded great returns in terms of secure borders, healthy relations with its neighbours or deterrence stability.
• It is time for India to change its grand strategic approach by shifting its almost exclusive focus from the continental sphere to the maritime sphere.
• India’s negligible presence in International Maritime Organization: The India’s negligible presence and interventions in the International Maritime Organization is affecting its maritime interests.
• Pivot to Asia-US policy shift: The recalibration of the US policy which has orchestrated a policy of pivot to Asia has its own ramifications in the region.
• With the rise of China and its increased assertiveness, US appear to be engaging with Asian countries in all spheres.

Simmering discontent in South China Sea: The east west traffic that passes from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean and vice -versa must pass through the Straits of Malacca till alternate routes are proven.

• The ownership claims in South China Sea with so many claimants has resulted in heightened tensions.
• The failure of ASEAN summit to reflect the concerns of the members about the belligerence of China in South China Seas.

Growing economies in the region and their interplay: The growth rates of countries in the region have been impressive except on occasions where there has been a dip in the GDP.

• The increased economic engagement has provided capable and strong economies such as China to increase their share of investments in various mega projects and infrastructure in many countries around the world in general and the Asia Pacific in particular.

Expanding inventory of military assets and defence spending in the region: The pattern of defence spending in Asia Pacific is an indication that the countries in the region are investing more and more in security.

Road Ahead

• The simultaneous rise of India and China is an important paradigm shift in the international system. This new paradigm shift will require India to focus on not only land boundaries but also maritime security.