INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NOVEL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT International Peer Reviewed & Refereed Journals, Open Access Journal ISSN Approved Journal No: 2456-4184 | Impact factor: 8.76 | ESTD Year: 2016
Scholarly open access journals, Peer-reviewed, and Refereed Journals, Impact factor 8.76 (Calculate by google scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool) , Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Indexing in all major database & Metadata, Citation Generator, Digital Object Identifier(DOI)
India has the unique distinction of sharing approximately 7500 kms of maritime boundaries with seven countries which includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Maldives. Apart from these countries, nations like Oman, Mauritius, Seychelles in the West and rest of the ASEAN countries in the Southeast play a significant role in shaping Indian foreign policy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). In the geo-politics, trade and security calculus of India, the Indian Ocean fall in the core of its policy choices and strategy.
Till late nineties, India, because of its belligerent neighbors and unsettled land borders, has always been intertwined and focused on its land borders. For a long time, it has had a ‘continental outlook’ wherein it paid very less attention towards the maritime potential of the Indian Ocean which resulted in many undesirable developments like China making inroads in this region as part of its expansionist and hegemonic agenda. The ‘String of Pearls’ as part of ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) is the most glaring example of the agenda. But over last two decades India has realized the importance of maintaining a good relationship with the above countries which is evident from its ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ Policies. This policy was furthered by the Indian government when in March 2015 during his visit to Mauritius, the Indian Prime Minister announced concept of SAGAR doctrine which means security and growth for all in the Indian Ocean Region. It is a maritime initiative of the government of India with a focus on blue economy and formulation of policies for the IOR to ensure peace, prosperity and stability of India in the region. Apart from the same its goal is to search for a conducive environment of trust and transparency, enhance maritime cooperation, display mutual concern and respect for each other’s interest, abide by international maritime rules and regulations and ensure peaceful settlement of all maritime issues. The SAGAR doctrine is in the sync with principles of Indian Ocean Rim Association which is a consortium of 21 member states with India as one of the observer countries.
India, because of its location in the IOR, growing economy and stable leadership naturally assumes a leading position from where it can rally all the coastal nations in the region towards mutual cooperation, growth, uninterrupted trade, capability build up and meeting security challenges of the future. The Prime Minister of India while enunciating the vision of SAGAR had said that vision of the Indian Ocean Region was rooted in advancing cooperation in the region and to use each other’s capabilities for the benefits of all in common maritime home. India’s resolve to address its long pending issues in the IOR is manifesting into actions. This is evident from the fact that for the first time Indian Navy published a policy document which articulates India’s policy in the IOR, by the name of ‘Ensuring Secure Sea: Indian Maritime Security Strategy’ in October 2015. This document enunciates that country is committed to: -
o Safety, security and stability in the IOR.
o Enhance maritime security cooperation amongst regional partners by combined surveillance and monitoring.
o Combating terrorism and piracy in the IOR by taking multilateral maritime security initiatives with regional partners.
o Rekindle cultural linkages with the states in the region.
o Convert the IOR into a frontier of sustainable economic growth and development.
Keywords:
SAGAR Doctrine, Look East and Act East Policy, Indian Ocean Region, Blue Navy, ASEAN
Cite Article:
"INDIA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH COUNTRIES BEYOND ITS SHORE: PEACE, COOPERATION AND GROWTH THROUGH ‘SECURITY AND GROWTH FOR ALL IN THE REGION (SAGAR)’ POLICY", International Journal of Novel Research and Development (www.ijnrd.org), ISSN:2456-4184, Vol.9, Issue 3, page no.c420-c425, March-2024, Available :http://www.ijnrd.org/papers/IJNRD2403254.pdf
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ISSN:
2456-4184 | IMPACT FACTOR: 8.76 Calculated By Google Scholar| ESTD YEAR: 2016
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 8.76 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator
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