Why in News:

• Prime Minister of India chaired a UNSC debate on maritime security titled, ‘Enhancing Maritime Security — A Case for International Cooperation’.

Five Points by the Indian PM

• The PM highlighted SAGAR (‘Security and Growth for all in the Region’) — a 2015 Indian framework for regional maritime security.
• Maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law and it is extremely important for promoting mutual trust and confidence, and ensuring global peace and stability.
• Countries should jointly tackle maritime threats from non-state actors and natural disasters.
• Maritime environment and marine resources needed to be conserved, highlighting pollution from plastic waste and oil spills.
• Responsible maritime connectivity with a structure to boost maritime trade, with the development of global norms and standards.

Related Information

What is SAGAR?

• Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) is India’s policy or doctrine of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
• The vision of SAGAR is building greater trust and promoting respect for maritime rules, norms and peaceful resolution of disputes.
• It represents a nexus of maritime cooperation, naval security along with economic development. 
• It also brings out the importance of Coast Guard agencies of the littoral states to counter-piracy actions by non-state actors. 
• Another crucial element of this initiative is to enhance collaboration in trade, tourism, and infrastructure while keeping in view the climate change problems and thus promote sustainable development of the region.

Significance

• India enhancing its relations and bilateral ties with the IOR littoral states is a great step towards achieving maritime peace and cooperation.
• The ambition to become a prime decision-maker of the area compels India to develop friendly ties with its marine neighbors.
• As an integral part of its Neighbourhood First Policy, SAGAR policy works through the channels of regional organizations like BIMSTEC, ASEAN, IORA.
• Leveraging Blue Economy
• Checking Chinese Influence
• Tackling Issues like piracy and terrorism.
• Humanitarian Assistance during disasters
• Example: Mission SAGAR is a major milestone in India’s engagement with the countries in the Indian Ocean Region, in line with Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR- Security and Growth for All in the Region’.

Mission Sagar was India’s initiative to deliver Covid-19 related assistance to the countries in the Indian Ocean region. As part of this Mission, INS Kesari successively visited Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles to deliver assistance to our maritime neighbors in dealing with the Covid crisis. India’s humanitarian assistance included supplies of essential food items, medicines, Ayurvedic medicines and deployment of Medical Assistance Teams (MAT) to Mauritius and Comoros.

References:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/pm-sets-out-framework-for-maritime-security/article35828244.ece
2. https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/pm-sets-out-framework-for-maritime-security/article35828151.ece
3. https://diplomatist.com/2020/12/25/indias-sagar-policy-in-the-indian-ocean-region/
4. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1736778
5. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/32803/