Emphasising sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth while preserving the ecosystem's health, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 15 said India stands for open and rule-based maritime borders in Indo-Pacific.

India's resolve for open, free and rule-based maritime borders in the Indo-Pacific region was also considered. Addressing the 18th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in New Delhi, Singh asserted that India, throughout history, has been a peace-loving society which has never invaded a foreign land and has always respected universal human values and territorial integrity of other countries, while treating them as equal partners.

He stressed that oceanic space should be respected as a global common for the benefit of all humanity in an environmentally sustainable way. "We stand for open, free, rule-based maritime borders in Indo-pacific, in which no nation, how-so-ever big, may be allowed to appropriate the global common or exclude others from its fair use. We are always ready and forthcoming to work with all the like-minded partner countries across various forums towards this endeavour," Singh said.

The Defence Minister stressed that India's shared vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth of All in Region), Sustainable Development Goals and 'Rule Based Order at Sea' complement the focussed Indian approach of inclusive growth and lasting collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.

Singh highlighted India's focus towards the blue economy and strongly advocated the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs and preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem. 

India is also encouraged by the effectiveness of agreements such as the Regional Cooperation Agreement for Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia and considers mutual cooperation alone as the most effective way for ensuring safety and security at sea.

“Smuggling, drug trafficking and human trafficking through ocean routes have made maritime law enforcement more challenging. Successful response strategy against threats is the need of the hour,” Singh said.

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