MAHASAGAR INITIATIVE

TAG: GS-2: SECURITY ISSUES & IR

CONTEXT: The Indian Navy on Nov 24 hosted the 3rd edition of OCEAN. This high-level virtual interaction was attended by prominent maritime leaders from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

EXPLANATION:

What is MAHASAGAR?

• MAHASAGAR means “vast ocean” in Hindi. It is the Indian Navy’s flagship initiative for encouraging dialogue among maritime heads.
• The program promotes Active Security and Growth for All in the region. Launched in 2023, it is conducted bi-annually and has gained traction among participating nations.
• The theme for this edition was “Training Cooperation to Mitigate Common Maritime Security Challenges in IOR.” This theme underscores the necessity of collaborative training to address shared security issues in the Indian Ocean.

Participating Nations:

• The interaction included representatives from several IOR littoral states. These include Bangladesh, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. Each nation faces unique maritime challenges. Yet, they share common interests in ensuring maritime security.

During the meeting, participants focused on several key areas:

• Quality of Training: Emphasis was placed on enhancing the quality of training programmes.
• Collaboration Opportunities: Nations discussed potential joint training exercises and shared resources.
• Capacity Building: The need for developing skilled manpower was brought into light.
• Addressing Maritime Security Challenges: Specific challenges like piracy and illegal fishing were addressed.

Significance of the Initiative

• MAHASAGAR serves as a platform for regional cooperation. It encourages trust and understanding among navies.
• The initiative aims to create a cohesive approach to maritime security in the IOR.
• The success of MAHASAGAR could lead to more frequent interactions. Enhanced cooperation may result in joint operations and improved resource sharing. This could ultimately strengthen maritime security across the region.
• The MAHASAGAR initiative reflects a collective commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Through training cooperation, nations aim to build a safer maritime environment. This collaboration is essential for addressing the evolving challenges in the region.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2070981