Context: Speaking at one of the best-attended UN Security Council debates (UNSC) where other members, barring China, fielded Presidents, Prime Ministers and senior Cabinet ministers, PM Modi outlined a five-principle framework for the first-ever debate on maritime security.
Key address of PM speech

• In his remarks, Modi said that India had put forward the vision of SAGAR – Security and Growth for All – which he said was an “inclusive" idea of maritime security.

Modi’s 5 Principles
1) First and foremost, remove barriers to maritime trade

• Stressing the importance of open sea lanes of communication, Modi said: “We must remove barriers to legitimate maritime trade. 
• Our prosperity is linked to the smooth flow of trade. Any impediment (to global trade) can challenge the global economy."

2) Fully respect rights of seafarers of other countries

• It was extremely important for ensuring global peace and stability for maritime disputes to be resolved peacefully.

3) Resolve maritime disputes peacefully, ensure peace

• Urging the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, Modi said this was important to create trust and build confidence among nations. 
• He pointed to the resolution of the maritime boundary dispute between India and Bangladesh in 2014 after New Delhi accepted the UN Tribunal order on the matter.
• Violation of international law, even the threat of the use of force affects peace and security.
• China claims most of the South China Sea but Vietnam and other countries in the region also claim the waters, seen as one of the world’s busiest trade corridors.
• Therefore, Maritime disputes “should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law,” adding that this was “extremely important for promoting mutual trust and confidence, and ensuring global peace and stability.”
• “India’s role in the Indian Ocean has been that of a net security provider,”.

4)Jointly tackle maritime threats & natural disasters

• The prime minister also referred to problems thrown up by natural calamities and non state actors stating that countries needed to come together to take on these issues. 
• Stating that oceans have a direct impact on climate, he stressed on the need to protect the maritime environment from plastic pollution and oils spills.

5) Conserve marine resources, have norms to boost trade

• Countries needed to work on what he described as responsible maritime connectivity by ensuring the life at the bottom.
• Acknowledging the need for infrastructure to strengthen maritime trade, Modi however said that the infrastructure developed should be fiscally sustainable and match the absorption capacity of the countries involved.

Importance of Indian Ocean for India

• Long Maritime Boundary: With a coastline of over 7,500 km, India has a natural interest in enhancing maritime security.

Securing Sea lanes of Communication: In the Indian Ocean, three major Sea Lanes Of Communication (SLOCS) play a crucial role in the energy security and economic prosperity:

• SLOC connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean through the Bab al-Mandab (that transports the bulk of Asia’s international trade with its major trading partners in Europe and America),
• SLOC connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Hormuz (transporting the bulk of energy exports to major import destinations like India, ASEAN, and East Asia),
• SLOC connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans through the Straits of Malacca (integral to the smooth flow of trade with ASEAN, East Asia, Russia’s Far East and the US).
• The Indian Ocean region transports 75% of the world’s maritime trade and 50% of daily global oil consumption.

Suggestion

• International Cooperation: Sustaining international cooperation to enhance maritime security requires two supportive frameworks in the policy and operational areas.
• Rule-of-law Based Approach: There is a need to review the operational effectiveness of the UNCLOS.
• Especially regarding the enforcement of its provisions on freedom of navigation, the sustainable exploitation of maritime resources, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
• Securing the Sea Lanes of Communication: Securing SLOCs that traverse the oceans is of central importance to enhancing maritime security.
• Thus, the global debate must focus on ensuring equal and unrestricted access to SLOCs by states while resolving differences through peaceful means.
• Engaging Private Sector: There is a need for an increasing role of the private sector in the maritime domain, whether it is in shipping, sustainable development through the Blue Economy.
• Further, the use of the maritime domain can be leveraged to provide the critical submarine fibre-optic cables supporting the Digital Economy.
• The ability of the UNSC to respond to the debate by endorsing a multiple stakeholder approach to enhancing maritime security would be a significant outcome, setting a paradigm for upholding “multi-dimensional” security in the 21st century.

By: Shubham Tiwari