4th Goa Maritime Conclave
Channel: DD News Goa
Date: 2023-10-30

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called for establishing multinational collaborative mitigation frameworks in the Indian Ocean Region to effectively tackle common maritime challenges such as climate change, piracy, terrorism, drug-trafficking, overfishing and freedom of commerce on high seas. The three-day conclave, which commenced on October 29, 2023, is being attended by Delegate in Charge of Defence, Comoros Mr Mohamed Ali Youssoufa and Chiefs of Navies/Heads of Maritime Forces/Senior representatives from eleven other Indian Ocean nations - Bangladesh, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka & Thailand. 
“A free, open and rule-based maritime order is a priority for all of us. ‘Might is right’ has no place in such a maritime order. Adherence to international laws and agreements must be our lodestar. Our narrow immediate interests may tempt us to flout or disregard the well-established international law, but doing so would lead to the breakdown of our civilised maritime relations. Our common security and prosperity cannot be preserved without all of us committing to cooperatively adhering to the legitimate maritime rules of engagement. Fair rules of engagement are crucial for fostering collaboration and ensuring that no single country dominates others in a hegemonic manner,” said Shri Rajnath Singh. He also referred to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, a challenge which relates to resource over-exploitation. “IUU fishing endangers ocean ecosystems and sustainable fishery. It also threatens our economic security and regional & global food security. A multinational collaborative effort for compilation and sharing of surveillance data is the need of the hour. It will help in identifying actors with irregular or threatening behaviour, which will have to be countered resolutely,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for External Affairs Smt Meenakashi Lekhi batted for cooperation among IOR nations to ensure peace & prosperity in the region. Underscoring the importance of IOR, she lauded the Indian Navy for protecting the nation’s maritime interests and being the first responder in the region in times of crisis.
In his address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar emphasised the changing nature of threats, both traditional & non-traditional and those emanating from the sea. He added that the GMC offers a valuable opportunity towards developing effective mitigation strategies against such threats, thereby maintaining peace and securing growth in the IOR.