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Maritime stability a shared responsibility of coastal states: Admiral Dhowan
View(s):Speaking at The International Maritime Conference “Galle Dialogue” – an annual event organised by the Sri Lanka Navy, India’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan, said the Indian Navy was cognizant of the fact that maintaining stability in the maritime domain is a shared responsibility of all coastal states, which can best be achieved through a co-operative and collaborative approach, through open, inclusive regional mechanisms.
In his presentation on Collaborative Architectures for Maritime Security -Indian Navy’s perspective- Admiral Dhowan said the Indian Ocean Region was encountering a broad spectrum of traditional and non-traditional threats and challenges, which range from asymmetric warfare to maritime terrorism and piracy, illicit trafficking, poaching, and natural disasters.
Admiral Dhowan said “in order to effectively overcome the wide array of maritime challenges in our neighborhood, the new Indian Maritime Security Strategy is centred on ‘shaping a favourable and positive maritime environment’, with presence, maritime engagement and regional MDA amongst its key pillars”.
The International Maritime Conference “Galle Dialogue”, is an annual event organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and has been taking place since 2010.
The conference brings together international and local professionals representing the maritime fraternity. The theme of this year’s conference was “Secure Seas through Greater Maritime Co-operation -Challenges and Way Forward”.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said no country is capable of handling maritime security threats and challenges in isolation, No matter how advanced and developed it might be, there is a need is to think globally and engage in structural co-operation mechanisms in order to effectively address the maritime security threats and challenges.
The Prime Minister noted that a substantial increase in the trafficking of drugs such as heroin has been observed –these typically take place through the African sea route and South Asian sea route.” He emphasized there was an urgent need for a more comprehensive strategy to be adapted towards preventing this trend before it escalated further.
He noted people smuggling was another key area for transnational co-operation. Increased collaboration between African and Asian Naval authorities together with the other relevant stakeholders towards successfully combating international crime on the seas would empower the emergence of the Indian Ocean as a secure zone.
Speaking specifically on issues in the Indian Ocean the Prime Minister noted that this was one of the wealthiest regions in the world until the 17th Century when the status quo changed substantially with the Industrial Revolution and the invention of the steam ship when the Indian Ocean saw a considerable British presence by the end of the 19th Century while the construction of the Suez Canal provided the strategic sea link between Europe and Asia.
He said that the adaptation of a Chinese strategy of soft diplomacy in Asia and East Africa, along with the construction of new ports such as Hambantota and the Strings of Pearls Theory had raised concerns of a possible Chinese long term plan to extend its sea power in the Indian Ocean.
Likewise, it is believed that there are concerns raised by the Chinese about a US – Indian strategic vision for Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean region.
He added Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the centre of the Indian Ocean is exceptional. “Sea borne trade remains key for the survival of our small island.
The strategy for economic empowerment put in place by the Sri Lankan Government under the guidance of President Maithripala Sirisena envisages bilateral trade and economic treaties with India, Pakistan, the Bay of Bengal countries, the European Union and China. Plans are in place for discussions on Free Trade Agreements with the USA,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that while Sri Lanka’s economic zone falls within the area, the country remains committed to preventing international terrorism, transnational crimes and people smuggling in the seas around our country.
The Prime Minister said internal factors had contributed towards substantial resources being alocated toward strengthening security on land, but emphasis on reinforcing high levels of maritime security had been insufficient.
“In this context, supplementing the blue water capability of the Sri Lanka Navy and the consolidation of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard are areas of concern to the Government. We are also reviewing the possibilities of integrating the capabilities of the Navy and the Air Force” he said.
Among those who attended the conference were the naval chiefs from Bangladesh, India, Mozambique and Nigeria.