PANJIM: Indian Defence secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, without naming China, at the third Goa Maritime Conclave 2021 on Monday, said an “expansion at an unprecedented rate” of conventional naval forces in the Pacific region could lead to a “new genre of arms race in the region” whose effects were being felt far beyond the region.
He further added, “I would like to make special reference to the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing which undermines national and regional efforts to achieve the goals of long term sustainability and responsibility. Moreover, IUU fishing greatly discriminates against those who act responsibly, honestly and in accordance with rules. IUU fishing, mostly from outside our region, is threatening marine biodiversity, food security for communities and the livelihoods of those involved in fishing.” Kumar said before External Affairs secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Karambir Singh and several high-ranking delegates.
The Defence Secretary also highlighted the stupendous work done by the Indian Navy during all natural disasters including the pandemic. “Whether it was during pandemic, which is not over yet, the supplies of over 500 tonnes of medicines or for being the first responder in the December 2004 Tsunami, Indian Navy has always shown its commitment to the nation.”
Later the Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, while addressing the media at the sidelines of the Conclave said that there is a need to have a good maritime domain with the country and understanding of what other nations are doing.
Admiral said, “If we have to know what other countries are doing, we have to have a good maritime domain with us. Awareness leads to understanding. Once you understand the domain and you find there is action by any country which is inimical or pre-open to the Indian or Pacific Ocean, then that country is to be called out and said that it is not ok. That is present situation which exists.” He was responding to a question on those naval ships which believed in expansionism.
The Indian Navy Chief said, “There are certain issue of drug trafficking that is taking place. For organizations like the ISIS, Taliban etc which are facing fund crisis, most of their income is through drug trade. They are targeting the island territories which are basically into tourism oriented economies. It also comes to Sri Lanka, Maldives and India and then goes out to the world. So we are now going to have focused operations and there will be cohesion of intelligence which will be for the common good for all in the region.”
Secondly, collective maritime competence is also been taken up in which each country so that knowledge and intelligence sharing can be done in a much smoother way.
At the Goa Maritime Conclave-21, which happens once in two years, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh is hosting Heads of maritime forces from 12 Indian Ocean littorals namely, Comoros, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Indonesia, Maldives, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mauritius, Singapore, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Indian Ocean region has become the focus of 21st-century strategic landscape. In this region, the Conclave aims to bring regional stakeholders together and discuss on collaborative implementation strategies for this region.
On the possibility of non-state actors being active in the ocean, he said if happenings in the sea were genuine then it’s okay else the respective countries would have to be told that what they were doing was not right.
“If it is genuine or scientific which is happening in the high seas, its fine but any action which is inimical to the interest of the country or to the pursuance of the free ocean or seas, then we have to call them and tell them that you are not doing the right thing,” said Singh.
He further added that there was a need to have a good mechanism for surveillance to control pollution in the sea. “Our ships and aircrafts are constantly deployed to assist the Coast Guard and Marine Police. They are monitoring and if excessive pumping out of effluent or anything is found then we make a report and then we warn the particular ship concerned or the nation concerned. It is a constant effort. We have to engage 24X7, identify survey and understand what activities are going on in the sea,” said Singh.
