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naval cooperation: a view from india
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• Channels of Communication. When militaries cooperate many more
channels of communication are opened up at the ministry, headquarters
and unit levels. These channels normally help maintain links even in
times when the political tensions are high, and consequently minimise
the chances of accidental escalation. 15 In the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai
terrorist attack, the continual Director General Military Operations level
talks between India and Pakistan helped in dismissing speculation about
troop build up and normalised the situation on the borders.
• Confidence Building. Experience has often shown that the seas provide
a natural environment where confidence building measures are easier to
implement than on land. Even during the height of the Cold War in 1972,
America and the Soviet Union had signed an agreement on ‘Prevention
of Incidents on the High Seas’, which was mutually beneficial to both
countries. While this agreement was not an end in itself, it was definitely
a ‘catalyst for a change in relationship’. 16
• Transnational Concerns. Absence of cooperation can lead to
alleviating tensions between countries as issues like arrest of nationals
of the other can crop up. Even otherwise, issues like arrest/harassment
of fishermen can become sore points in relations and raise tensions.
• Socio-Political Factors. Naval ships are used as tools of diplomacy
in cooperation. Cooperation activities such as Fleet Reviews, port
visits, exchange of observers, seminars and informal gatherings
foster interaction and cultural sensitisation. This in turn cultivates
understanding, trust and mutual respect. China’s International Fleet
Review 2009 at Qingdao was aimed at ‘promoting understanding’ and
‘removing suspicions about China being a threat to World security’. 17
• Economic Spin-Offs. Multinational cooperation activities provide
navies and state defence industries openings to put their products on
display for prospective buyers. For this reason, most countries prefer
to commit indigenous platforms for naval cooperation. Provision of
operational turnaround and other facilities augments the revenue
earnings. Other examples of economic benefits are in the field of marine
hydrography. Improved economic association has a net deterrence
value of its own and along with other factors helps diffuse tensions, if
any, between states.
• Media Coverage. Military cooperation activities receive generous
media coverage, nationally and internationally. Accounts of military
cooperation reassure people on the streets, and the politicians in
turn, about the peaceful intents of the cooperating nations. Sustained