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Peaceful Indian Ocean a must for regional economic prosperity: India’s NSA
A section of the audience. Pix by Indika Handuwala
Trilateral maritime cooperation among India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives is significant for greater economic development and efficient security for the nations, observed India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, at the fifth ‘Galle Dialogue’ held in Galle. Delivering the keynote speech, Mr. Doval also mentioned that, if the Indian Ocean has to contribute to the prosperity of different nations, it is necessary that it remains a zone of peace which will help effective interaction among countries.
With China’s reportedly increased military presence in the island, Mr. Doval recalled the 1971 UN General Assembly resolution of keeping the Indian Ocean a ‘Zone of Peace’, and requested Sri Lanka to review the declaration which asserted “no escalation and expansion of military presence in the ocean.”
Signifying the importance of maritime cooperation, Mr. Doval said, “The Indian Ocean has been of utmost historic importance to the world. Not only trade, but religions, cultures and languages have traversed its waters from prehistoric times. At present, 70% of the world’s oil and billions of dollars in trade pass through it.”
“India being a non-aggressive nation, has used the ocean for the development of its country. Its naval power is to safeguard itself, and it has no policies or reasons for dominating other countries,” he added. Mr. Doval congratulated Sri Lanka for eliminating terrorism from the island. While also commenting on the success of the ‘Galle Dialogue’, Mr. Doval called it, “A few of those global initiatives which have managed to be extremely successful.”
In conversatioin: Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval (centre) and Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera
The fifth consecutive conference concluded on December 2, with more than 100 delegates from 36 countries in attendance. The two-day seminar had External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris as the chief guest, while Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera was also present. In his comments on ways to reap benefits from a ‘Blue Economy’, Prof. Peiris observed that oceans have a multitude of rich natural resources which still have not been utilised to their fullest, and that countries should jointly explore the vastness of the waters.
Meanwhile, reflecting the seminar’s theme of ‘Cooperation and Collaboration for Maritime Prosperity’, Vice Admiral Perera in his welcome remarks stated, “Seas and oceans play a pivotal role in enhancing world economies. Sri Lanka’s strategic position has made it a hub that links East with West, thus demanding the need for a greater integration of world maritime powers.”
Commenting on the hijackings and looting by Somali pirates, Vice Admiral Perera said that such acts have hindered maritime trade greatly, and such issues can only be overcome by proper communication, bilateral agreements and joint researches between countries.