Toe UN Guidelines on Indian Ocean: Doval Indias National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Monday called upon the Great Powers and the littoral states of the Indian Ocean to implement the UN General Assembly Resolution 2832 (XXVI) of December 16, 1971, which had declared the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace. Doval told the Sri Lankan Navy-organised Galle Dialogue 2014 on maritime security here, that if the Indian Ocean is to realise its full potential to be a great economic resource and a secure trade route, the Great Powers must refrain from militarising it, as urged by the 1971 resolution. The resolution had called upon the Great Powers to halt further escalation and expansion of their military presence in the Indian Ocean and eliminate all bases, military installations and logistical supply facilities from there. It urged the major maritime users of the Indian Ocean to establish a system of universal collective security without military alliances and to strengthen international security through regional and other kinds of co-operation. Although Doval did not name any of the Great Powers, it was clear that he had China in mind. China is now being seen by the world as militarising the Indian Ocean through the construction of harbours across the region and sending its naval vessels on mysterious missions. Doval had himself raised the issue of the visit of two Chinese submarines to Colombo in his talks with the Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in New Delhi recently. In a pointed reference to Lankas role, Doval said that it was Colombo which had moved the UNGA Resolution Declaring the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace. The NSA said that India has a vital stake and role in the Indian Ocean, as it is plumb in the middle of it with links with several littoral states through its 7500 km coastline and 1100 islands. But Indias role will be non aggressive because it has no strategic reasons for dominance, he assured. Doval further said that peace and commerce can flourish in the Indian Ocean only through multi-lateral partnership, as no country can ensure this singly.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:12:57 +0000
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