Mentor’s Comment

This article is relevant for GS Paper II (International Relations & Global Governance) and GS Paper III (Economy, Environment, Security). It examines India’s evolving leadership role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) amid climate stress, ocean degradation, and global governance transitions. The piece connects UNCLOS, BBNJ negotiations, Blue Economy financing, and India’s SAGAR doctrine to a rules-based, sustainability-driven maritime order.

Introduction

The Indian Ocean has historically shaped global trade, civilizations, and maritime norms. India’s early advocacy during the UNCLOS negotiations to treat areas beyond national jurisdiction as the “common heritage of mankind” laid the normative foundation for today’s ocean governance debates. Half a century later, climate change, biodiversity loss, and unregulated exploitation have intensified pressures on marine ecosystems. The article argues that India now carries both opportunity and responsibility to lead a new Blue Economy paradigm rooted in stewardship, resilience, and inclusive growth.

Why in the News?

The article gains significance amid the BBNJ Agreement (2023), renewed focus on Blue Economy financing, and India’s expanding role in Indian Ocean governance following UNCLOS negotiations and recent UN Ocean Conferences. For the first time, the Indian Ocean is being projected not merely as a geopolitical theatre but as a laboratory for sustainability, climate resilience, and equitable growth. This marks a shift from security-centric maritime approaches toward ecosystem-based ocean governance. 

Reimagining the Indian Ocean Blue Economy

Normative Foundations of India’s Ocean Vision

1. Common Heritage Principle: Positions the Indian Ocean as a shared global commons rather than a contested geopolitical space.
2. Continuity of Leadership: Builds on India’s early UNCLOS advocacy for equity and fairness in ocean governance.
3. Shift in Maritime Thinking: Reframes oceans from extractive zones to sustainability laboratories.

Stewardship as the First Pillar

1. Ecosystem Restoration: Prioritises biodiversity protection, habitat conservation, and sustainable fisheries management.
2. Regulated Resource Use: Counters illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing undermining livelihoods and food security.
3. Shared Ocean Ethic: Positions India as a trustee rather than a dominant maritime power.

Resilience in a Climate-Stressed Ocean Basin

1. Climate Vulnerability: Indian Ocean houses over one-third of humanity and includes some of the most climate-exposed regions.
2. Adaptation Imperative: Strengthens preparedness against sea-level rise, extreme weather, and ecosystem collapse.
3. Regional Cooperation: Supports small island developing states through technology transfer and capacity building.

Inclusive Growth and the Blue Economy

1. Equitable Prosperity: Extends economic benefits to all littoral states, not just major powers.
2. Green Sectors: Advances green shipping, offshore renewable energy, and sustainable marine biotechnology.
3. Livelihood Protection: Links marine conservation with coastal employment and social stability.

Financing the Blue Economy Transition

1. Global Financial Momentum: Finance in Common Ocean Coalition mobilised $8.7 billion in commitments.
2. Public-Private Synergy: Balances public pledges ($5.7 billion) and private investment ($2.5 billion).
3. Institutional Architecture: Converts ocean pledges into implementable projects through MDBs and philanthropy.

Security Through Sustainability

1. Expanded Security Concept: Redefines maritime security beyond navigation and sea lanes.
2. Ecosystem-Security Link: Addresses IUU fishing, coral degradation, and coastal erosion as security threats.
3. SAGAR Doctrine: Anchors India’s maritime strategy in “Security and Growth for All in the Region.”

Multilateralism and Global Ocean Governance

1. BBNJ Agreement: Establishes governance for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
2. UNCLOS Continuity: Reinforces rule-based maritime order.
3. Equity Focus: Integrates climate finance, technology access, and capacity building for developing states.

India’s Diplomatic Responsibility in the IOR

1. Leadership with Restraint: Emphasises stewardship over dominance.
2. Consultative Approach: Aligns India’s diplomacy with shared prosperity.
3. Global Messaging: Positions the Indian Ocean as a model for cooperative global commons governance.

Conclusion

The Indian Ocean is no longer merely a strategic maritime space but a critical global commons where climate stress, ecological degradation, and development aspirations intersect. India’s approach, grounded in stewardship, sustainability, and inclusive growth, positions the Blue Economy as a pathway to secure oceans through resilient ecosystems and cooperative governance. By aligning UNCLOS principles, the BBNJ framework, and the SAGAR vision, the article underscores that the future stability of the Indian Ocean and its prosperity will depend on security rooted in sustainability rather than dominance.

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