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Navigating Maritime Security Dynamics in Asia: Challenges and Solutions

4 minutes read

Navigating Maritime Security Dynamics in Asia: Challenges and Solutions

4 minutes read

In a recent conversation with NHS Media, Abhijit Singh, a Senior Fellow heading the Maritime Policy Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), spoke about the evolving maritime security dynamics in Asia. As a seasoned naval expert, Singh offered valuable insights into the region’s complex challenges and India’s role as a potential net security provider.

Key Points:

  • Despite global attention shifting towards continental security due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Asia’s future geopolitics and power balance will be defined by developments at maritime, making maritime security a central concern.
  • Maritime security involves both traditional (state-on-state challenges) and non-traditional threats (piracy, climate change). Historically, these were addressed separately, but they now overlap, leading to hybrid challenges.
  • China’s assertive behavior in the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean raises concerns. While not a direct military threat in the Indian Ocean, China’s approach could influence regional dynamics and grow its influence.
  • India’s maritime strategy aims to play a role as a net security provider in the region, focusing on developing its neighbors’ capacities and promoting regional security, realizing the importance of a pragmatic and forward-looking approach.

Singh began by acknowledging the recent shift in global attention from maritime security to continental security due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict. However, he emphasized that the future of geopolitics and power balance in Asia, particularly in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, would be defined by developments at sea. Consequently, maritime security is making a comeback as a central concern.

Maritime security traditionally encompasses both traditional and non-traditional threats. Traditional threats involve state-on-state challenges, such as great power competition and territorial disputes. In contrast, non-traditional threats encompass piracy, armed robbery, illegal fishing, pollution, and climate change, affecting human security. Historically, these two categories were addressed separately.

Singh noted a significant development: the blurring of lines between traditional and non-traditional threats, leading to the emergence of gray zone challenges. These hybrid challenges have multiple dimensions, making it challenging to determine the adversary’s intentions clearly. They often keep tensions between nations below the threshold of conflict while maintaining the status quo.

China’s assertive behavior and expanding maritime presence in both the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean region have raised concerns. In the western Pacific, China employs a full-spectrum dominance strategy, while in the Indian Ocean, its approach is more developmental and quasi-military. Singh highlighted that Chinese actions in the Indian Ocean, while not posing a direct military threat, could influence regional dynamics and grow China’s influence.

While talking about  India’s maritime security strategy which is primarily about containing China. Singh clarified that India’s approach is more nuanced. India follows the “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) doctrine, which focuses on securing not only its interests but also those of its regional partners. India is engaged in capacity building, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and counter-piracy efforts.

India’s concern about Chinese strategy lies in the combination of economic development through the Belt and Road Initiative and quasi-military activities. The fear is that China could create dependencies and leverage them for strategic influence. While not purely a military threat at present, this dual approach raises concerns.

Regarding India’s naval modernization, Singh highlighted the importance of keeping pace with technology and regional competitors. As the largest arms importer in the past, India is now shifting toward indigenization and self-reliance. The country is co-developing technology, involving the private sector, and becoming a technology provider rather than a mere importer.

Singh discussed the Quad, a strategic forum comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. He emphasized that while the Quad is seen as a balancing act against China, it is not purely military in nature. The Quad addresses connectivity, supply chains, emerging technologies, and climate change, focusing on holistic regional development and security.

In conclusion, Abhijit Singh provided insights into India’s evolving maritime security strategy. India aims to play a role as a net security provider in the region, but this does not equate to military domination. India seeks to develop its neighbors’ capacities and promote regional security, realizing the importance of a pragmatic and forward-looking approach. As India continues its journey towards self-reliance and regional security collaboration, its role in the evolving maritime dynamics of Asia will undoubtedly be pivotal.

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