Patronage of non-State actors in the maritime arena by “certain States” is a matter of concern and needs to be firmly dealt with, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at the Goa Maritime Conference, held in the coastal State on Wednesday.
Sitharaman also said that increased militarisation in the region, as well as the presence of extra-regional players in the region were two emerging significant trends.
“The concept of non-State actors is again something which is not new. Countries which have been dealing with this issue, both over land and at sea, since time immemorial. However, the recent surge in the number of non-State actors when juxtaposed with the support they enjoy from certain States, their enhanced reach, as well as access to resources, has brought the issue to the forefront and demands firm action,” the Minister said, while addressing naval chiefs from as many as 10 countries at the conference.
“We have also witnessed extra-regional nations, maintain a near permanent within the region, on one pretext or the other. In order to sustain such a presence, through operational turnarounds. These countries, which are extra-regional, are creating naval outposts as well as dual use infrastructure in the region. This sort of militarisation increases the complexities for countries of this region," she said, adding that the South Asian seas had seen a steady increase in the number of operating warships.
The Defence Minister also said that while the Indian Navy actively contributes to regional efforts vis a vis combating of piracy and armed robbery against ships passing through the South Asian seas, there was also need to look at the perils of natural calamities to the populous coastal regions.
"All our coastal regions are densely populated, and suffer immense damage to life as well as property in the event of major natural calamities. Yet, in the aftermath of natural disasters, the only way to gain access and to provide succour to our people is from the sea. It is therefore very important that we create structures, which can cater to such circumstances," she said.
"The fundamental aim of any Country, is to provide adequate opportunities, for the personal, societal, economic and spiritual well-being of its citizens. Whilst the ends may be the same, it is the means to achieve the ends that defines the national character," Sitharaman added.
The Defence Minister also underlined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR), which she said is guided by India's civilisational ethos.
"He was emphatic in his articulation that realism, co-existence, co-operation and partnership would form the cornerstones, shaping our strategic intent. Guided by this set of ethos, India follows a defence co-operation framework that acknowledges and respects sovereignty willingly aids Countries, by providing assistance, and whilst doing so, believes in eventually paving way for self-reliance in the recipient Countries," Sitharaman said.