A conference organised in Singapore on the challenges and opportunities for countries in the Indian Ocean Region, underlined the crucial role of IOR players globally in economic, cultural and political spheres

It is not without reason that author Robert Kaplan, in his book, Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power, mentioned that geo-politics of the 21st century would be shaped by events in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The IOR is unique for it touches the boundaries of as many as 40 countries, which accounts for 40 per cent of the global population. Nearly 80 per cent of all seaborne trade occurs through the region. 

Covering almost one-fifth of the total ocean area of the world, the Indian Ocean is bounded by Asia in the north, Africa in the west, Australia in the east and Antarctica in the south. In ancient Sanskrit literature, the Indian Ocean is referred to as Ratnakara, which means ‘a mine of gems’.

Cultural diversity is the common heritage of the Indian Ocean countries. For thousands of years, the Indian Ocean facilitated trade and promoted greater interaction among different cultures. South Asian influences in language and religion among Indian Ocean countries are quite distinct. Pallava links with Southeast Asia are well known. The Majapahit of Indonesia and the Omanis also had influence on South Asian culture. Unfortunately though, Western powers used the Indian Ocean to enhance their naval strength in the region and also to promote colonial rule in Asia.

The geo-strategic and geo-economic importance of the Indian Ocean has grown manifold over the years. World prosperity in general and Asia’s prosperity in particular largely depend on peace, progress and stability in the IOR.

With almost a nine-trillion economy, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member countries have emerged as the second-largest economy in the world, next only to the US. The IORA was launched in Mauritius in 1997, with the objective of building mutually beneficial cooperation among the member countries through consensus-based evolutionary and non-intrusive approach. Today, most global investors want to invest in the region to reap the advantage of demographic dividend. With nearly 64 per cent of its population in the working age group, India happens to be the youngest country, providing ample opportunities for investment.  

However, climate change poses a major security threat to the IOR. Human trafficking is on the rise. Cases of armed robbery and piracy are  growing, particularly in the vicinity of Somalia. Illegal mining and fishing, apart from maritime terrorism, natural disasters and pollution, is a matter of concern.

India is a pivotal power in Asia and it is in the centre of the Indian Ocean. As much as 95 per cent of India’s trade occurs through the Indian Ocean. The ocean is the life-line of India because the latter has 7,500 km of coastline.

At a time when the Indian Ocean region is re-emerging as the centre of gravity in the world, it is commendable on the part of a New Delhi-based think-tank, India Foundation, to organise an international conference recently at  Singapore, in association with the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Institute of Policy Studies, Sri lanka and S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) Singapore. Nearly 300 delegates from 21 countries, including Ministers, Government officials, diplomats, business leaders and academicians participated in the conference. The focus was  largely on culture, commerce and comity.

Several participants advocated greater connectivity in the Indian Ocean Region through transport services like roads and rail, communication, energy and electricity. Such initiatives can not only help to consolidate the unity of the Indian Ocean countries, but also open new vistas of economic cooperation through the exploitation of natural resources in a sustainable and planned manner. This can give a major boost to inter-regional and intra-regional trade, apart from facilitating disaster management activities. Connectivity was disrupted in the region by Western colonial powers, but now a re-balancing game has begun.

Yet, the One Road One Belt Project of China failed to attract the attention of participants because it was treated as a unilateral initiative. Countries such as India, Japan and the United States are expected to contribute significantly in developing connectivity in the region.

The participants of the conference were satisfied that the law of the sea was maintained in the Indian Ocean, and thus there was no need to bring in any new code of conduct. Rather, there was a greater thrust for information-sharing on weather conditions, tsunami and other natural calamities, to combat any untoward incident in the region.

The need was also felt to cooperate in coordinating and patrolling armed robbery and piracy in the region. India was asked to take a lead in bringing peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean countries, considering the harmonious relations that this country maintains with most of the countries of the Indian Ocean region, apart from its own neighbours.

(The writer is a research fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi)