Maritime Security Challenges: RSTV - Big Picture

Rajya Sabha TV programs and discussions are very insightful and informative from a UPSC perspective. In this article, we provide a gist of the RSTV Big Picture debate on the maritime security challenges faced by India. This topic is important for the international relations and security sections under the UPSC syllabus.

Maritime Security Challenges:- Download PDF Here

Anchor:  Vishal Dahiya  

Participants: 

1. CDR (Retd.) Abhijit Singh, Head, Maritime Policy Initiative, ORF
2. Ajay Banerjee, Defence Correspondent, The Tribune

Context: 

Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had flagged India’s concerns on Maritime Security in the Asian Defence Ministers’ Meeting. He called for a rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific and raised the issue of freedom of navigation in the international waters, specifically the South China Sea. The statement comes at a time when we have an ongoing conflict on the Ladakh border. Rajnath Singh also termed terrorism as the gravest threat to global peace and security.

Background: 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN is an organization formed by the governments of Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore in 1967 to promote economic growth, peace, security, social progress, and cultural development in the Southeast Asian region.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) or the Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea Treaty defines the rights and responsibilities of nations towards the use of the world’s oceans. 

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources. 
• It enshrines the notion that all problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need to be addressed as a whole.

Key events that have caused disorder in the Asia-Pacific region: 

• Chinese airforce incursions into Taiwan and warships intrusion in the Philippines.
• South China Sea patrols by the USA.
• The artificial islands formed by China are being used as military bases.
• Militarization of supply chains by China to safeguard its offshore investments.
• Chinese wolf warrior diplomacy and brazen threats to countries like Australia and Bangladesh. Australia is currently mulling over removing China from Darwin’s Port.
• Blatant statements by leaders like Joe Biden – “China will have to pay for its misadventures”.
• The USA has launched a Pacific Deterrence Initiative which aims to counter China in the Pacific region by expanding its military infrastructure. The focus areas include Force Design and Posture; Exercises, Experimentation, and Innovation; Joint Force Lethality; Logistics and Security Enablers; and Strengthen Allies and Partners.
• US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin issued directives to the Department of Defence to better address the security challenges posed by China as America’s number one pacing adversary based upon the recommendations of a special China Taskforce.
• Full-spectrum dominance strategy of China in the Pacific Ocean combined with Salami Slicing.
• Other important initiatives by China in the region: Cyber belt and road initiative, Polar silk road, etc.
• Establishment of ports at multiple places: Gwadar, Darwin’s port, Hambantota, Djibouti, etc.
• Expansion of nuclear arsenal by China as per the latest Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report.

Key points raised at the defense meet: 

• Formulation of a code of conduct for South China Sea (SCS), being negotiated between the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.
• Safeguarding the sea lanes of communication which are critical for the peace, stability, prosperity, and development of the Indo-Pacific region. 
• India has called for a free, open, and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific, based upon respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue, and adherence to international rules and laws. 

Significance of the Asia Pacific:

• Huge reserves of hydrocarbons (methyl clathrates), due to which China is pursuing incessant expansionism in the South China Sea.
• The presence of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC)  and important chokepoints that have caused the Malaccan dilemma for China.
• However, the theatre of Asia Pacific as a fulcrum of economic growth is being expanded to the Indo Pacific.

Way forward: 

• A concerted effort is required by the affected countries to come forth together just like the QUAD which is a grouping of like-minded democracies with common interests.
• The economic dependence upon China needs to be reduced and the nations need to diversify the sources for their imports. It can be a great opportunity for India to fill this vacuum by ramping up its domestic production and boosting exports.
• The latest Build Better World Initiative could come in handy as an alternative to China’s BRI and unshackle the Asian economies from the Chinese debt trap.
• Extension of the Malabar exercise to the QUAD members and willing nations of Asia-Pacific.

Conclusion: 

Countering the Chinese dragon cannot be done just by ramping up the defense arsenal. Instead, a multipronged approach needs to be taken which should be a fair mix of infrastructural project exports, upgrading technology, and collaboration with like-minded countries in the Asia-pacific region.

Read all the RSTV articles in the link.