India 2018

132 India 2018
Developments in the IOR region in the past one year have increased
security challenges for India. In order to address these, India has taken proactive
measures to enhance the peace and stability in the region. India actively
participated in arrangements like the ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation
Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia)
and the SOMS (States of Malacca and Singapore) mechanism for maritime safety.
India also took an active role in fighting piracy, both to our west and east. Since
2008, the Indian Navy has undertaken more than 50 anti-piracy escort missions
in the Gulf of Aden contributing to greater maritime safety in the region.
Building on 2004 tsunami relief experience, India has undertaken a wide range
of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, from major
evacuation in Yemen to supply of drinking water to the Maldives and providing
relief supplies by air to Fiji and Sri Lanka. We also actively participated in various
regional events to enhance our capabilities including workshops, conferences
and table-top exercises under the aegis of ARF and ADMM Plus.
China initiated significant restructuring of the People's Liberation Army,
aimed at stronger control by the Party and to usher in jointness to enable mobile
operations, multidimensional offense and defence, offshore waters defence and
open seas protection, as well as build its airspace as well as nuclear and
conventional missiles capabilities. The 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor'
(CPEC) passing through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir challenges Indian
sovereignty. South China Sea is a major waterway and over US $ 5 trillion trade
passes through the sea lanes in this region. As per information available, over
55 per cent of India's trade passes through South China Sea and Malacca Straits.
Peace and stability in the region is of great significance to India. India undertakes
various activities, including cooperation in oil and gas sector, withlittoralstates
of South China Sea. Keeping in mind implications for regional peace and stability
of recent developments in the South China Sea, India's position on the issue is
consistent and has been reiterated bilaterally and in multilateral fora onseveral
occasions. India supports freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded
commerce, based on principles of international law, as reflected notably in the
UNCLOS. India believes that States should resolve disputes through peaceful
means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct
of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and
stability. As a State Party to the UNCLOS, India urges all parties to show utmost
respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the
seas and oceans.
The situation in the Korean Peninsula remains one of serious concerns.
DPRK has been called upon to refrain from such actions which adversely impact
peace and stability in the region and beyond. India remains concerned about
the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies which have adversely
impacted the regional security environment.
India's interests in Central Asia are based on its geostrategic location,
presence of abundant energy and natural resources as well as age-old historical