Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla  said that the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will face an increasingly complicated security situation with increasing threats from terrorists supported by the governments.

Speaking at Goa Maritime Conclave on ‘Maritime Security & Emerging Non-Traditional Threats: A Case for Proactive Role for IOR Navies’, Shringla said, “The Indian Ocean Region, it is quite obvious, will face an increasingly complicated, rapidly evolving, and more demanding security situation, with an ever-increasing battery of threats and uncertainties.”

He further stated that another set of challenges arises from geopolitical volatilities and a lack of commitment to settled international law has led to the increased militarisation of the region. Militarisation always adds to complexities, the Foreign Secretary said.

“Such terrorists tend to combine with transnational criminals. These alliances escalate instability and violence levels exponentially,” he added.

‘Terrorists get support from govts’

While asserting that the terrorists get supported by the government resources, Shringla stressed that greater cooperation is needed for a safe and secure Indian Ocean Region.

“They also provide targets for terrorists, supported and encouraged by the resources of governments. Using the oceans to move and infiltrate, they threaten offshore and coastal assets,” he said. Adding, “Blue economy supports an increased number of coastal economic and population centres. Natural disasters can and do affect them.”

Shringla noted that India’s Indo Pacific vision is premised upon the principle of ‘ASEAN-Centrality’, adding that India’s concept of the Indo Pacific is inclusive in nature and supports an approach that respects the right to freedom of navigation and overflight for all in the international seas.

“India’s approach is based on cooperation and collaboration, given the need for shared responses to shared challenges in the region,” he said.