Communication traffic to increase India calls for free and open maritime borders
NEW DELHI, Oct 17, (KUNA): Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted importance of maintaining open, free and rule-based maritime borders in the IndoPacific region.
The Indian Defense Ministry quoted Rajnath Singh saying while delivering the inaugural address at 18th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in New Delhi that oceanic space should be respected as a global common for the benefit of all humanity in an environmentally sustainable way.
“We stand for open, free, rule-based maritime borders in Indo-Pacific, in which no nation, how-so-ever big, may be allowed to appropriate the global common or exclude others from its fair use.
“We are always ready and forthcoming to work with all the like-minded partner countries across various forums towards this endeavor,” he said.
He also underlined the importance of peace, respect for human values and territorial integrity of nations.
“India, throughout history, has been a peace loving society which has never invaded a foreign land and has always respected universal human values and territorial integrity of other countries, while treating them as equal partners,” the Indian minister said.
He added that India has maintained a policy of inclusive growth and lasting collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region as the Security and Growth of All in Region, Sustainable Development Goals and ‘Rule Based Order at Sea’ attest.
Focus
The minister also highlighted India’s focus towards blue economy and strongly advocated the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs and preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.
“Rajnath Singh voiced India’s commitment to implement international regulations; enact legislations for maritime safety and security; establish cooperative mechanism with nations and engage in capacity building of maritime law enforcement agencies,” the ministry added.
Regional Cooperation Agreement for Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia are effective, he emphasised adding that “mutual cooperation alone is the most effective way for ensuring safety and security at sea” and urged to expand such cooperative mechanisms.
“With continued growth in marine traffic, the potential risk of marine pollution and requirement of Search and Rescue consequent to any unwanted maritime incidents have also grown manifolds. The recent oil spill incidents have raised concerns about maritime environmental and the attendant life hazards,” he said.
He also pointed out to the threats to long term ocean sustainability posed by illegal unreported and unregulated fishing continues to threaten.
“Smuggling, drug trafficking and human trafficking through ocean routes has made maritime law enforcement more challenging. Successful response strategy against threats is the need of the hour,” he said.
The Indian minister also hailed the role of Coast Guard Agencies in ensuring maritime safety and security.
In the four-day deliberations of 18th HACGAM hosted by Indian Coast Guard in New Delhi representatives from 18 countries mainly from the Indo-Pacific region are expected to hold working-level discussions and high-level deliberations on issues of maritime prominence in the domain of marine environment protection, maritime search and rescue and maritime law enforcement.