There are new initiatives under the Modi's Govt for improving the maritime leverages. The recent initiatives are pointer to the untapped new maritime potential of India.

1. Commodore RS Vasan IN(Retd)
Director, Chennai Centre for China Studies
Head Strategy and Security Studies

2.  The Maritime Environment in the IOR
 Maritime Neighbourhood Issues
 China Factor
 India’s Responses
 Being prepared for the 21st Century
Challenges
 Way Ahead
“This week I would be travelling to Seychelles, Mauritius & Sri
Lanka. Am looking forward to enhancing our ties with these
friendly Nations.”
6:53 PM - 8 Mar 2015 from his tweet.

3.  Changing Security Paradigm in
MENA
 The Scene from Africa to Australia.
 Role of Extra Regional Players
 Energy Security Issues
 Enter the Dragon

4.  Post 2009 Scenario, Leaning towards China, India’s
ambivalence and inaction in Sri Lanka paving way for
China making inroads
 Change of Government and breather for India
 Assertive new stance of Modi’s Government
 Engagement as opposed to Estrangement of Southern
Neighbour
 Economic, Political, Cultural and Strategic dimensions
of relations.
 Fisheries , Livelihood and Security
 Not to forget the Tri Lateral maritime agreement

5.  $318 million Line of Credit to upgrade Sri Lanka’s railways,
 Promise to build Trincomalee as a “petroleum hub”,
 Seeking movement on the 500 MW Sampur power project,
that has been delayed for years due to environmental
concerns.
 13th amendment +? In a Unitary Sri Lanka
 Fisheries??-

6.  India and Republic of Mauritius in the field of Ocean Economy,
marine resources, fisheries, green tourism, research and
development of ocean technology, exchange of experts and other
related activities.
 Cultural Cooperation between the Republic of India and the
Republic of Mauritius for the year 2015-18-envisages exchange of
cultural troupes, training in fine arts, organization of cultural
exhibitions, preservation of cultural heritage, promotion of
Indian languages, exchange of students, etc. This programme
will also enhance greater people-to-people participation between
the two countries
 Protocol between the Department of Agriculture and
Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture of Republic of India and the
Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security of Republic of
Mauritius for the importation of fresh mango from India

7. I consider our security cooperation to be a
cornerstone of our strategic partnership. We
intend to quickly build the petroleum storage
and bunkering facility in Mauritius,"
Tweeted -Our agreement on cooperation in
Ocean Economy is an important step in
deepening our scientific and economic
partnership: PM @narendramodi
"Our agreement today on the development of
Agalega Island is a major stride in our
cooperation in infrastructure sector,“
India a preferential partner in developing
Mauritius capability
"I appreciate that Prime Minister Modi and
his government have agreed to redirect the
Indian line of credit of $ 200 million initially
meant for the light railway transit system to
projects in the water and energy sector,"

8. Line of Credit of 500 mn USD
Commissioning of Barracuda

9. MoU-for the Improvement in Sea and Air Transportation Facilities at
Agalega Island of Mauritius setting up and upgradation of
infrastructure for improving sea and air connectivity at the Outer
Island of Mauritius which will go a long way in ameliorating the
condition of the inhabitants of this remote Island. These facilities
willenhance the capabilities of the Mauritian Defence Forces in
safeguarding their interests in the Outer Island.
MoU on Cooperation in the field of Traditional System of Medicine
and Homeopathy. MoU will promote cooperation in the field of
traditional system of health and medicine between the two countries
which already share these traditions due to our unique historical and
cultural ties. It envisages exchange of experts, supply of traditional
medicinal substances, joint research and development and
recognition of the traditional systems of health and medicine in both
countries. It also aims at promotion and popularization of the various
Indian traditional systems which fall under AYUSH.

10.  Revisiting the past linkages and laying
foundations for future
 Historical factors
 Sale of Barracuda
 Enhanced levels of Engagement with leadership on
both sides
 Radar Network to include Mauritius in the scheme
of Oceanic security

11. The two sides inked four agreements, including on
cooperation in:-
 Hydrography,
 Renewable energy,
 Infrastructure development
 Sale of navigation
 charts and electronic navigational charts.
“India considers Seychelles not only as a maritime
neighbour but as a trusted friend & strong strategic
partner: PM 11:02 AM - 11 Mar 2015

12.  Visit after 34 years!!
 “India was the first country which came to Seychelles'
assistance in the fight against piracy. We greatly appreciate
the continued support of the government and people of
India. India is our ideal partner. We need to build bridges
to connect our countries and bring our people together.“ in
2010 during the visit to India.
 "nurtured by a common purpose – progress of our people
and peace and prosperity in the IOR.
 Support for expanded pmt seat in UNSC
 "Our security partnership is strong. It has enabled us to
fulfill our shared responsibility to advance maritime
security in the region,“
 Announced another Dornier aircraft for Seychelles and also
a Coastal Surveillance Radar Project as a symbol of bilateral
cooperation

13.  Another Tweet-”Unveiled the Plaque and
Operationalisation of Radar for the CSRS India-
Seychelles Cooperation Project. 2:35 PM - 11 Mar 2015

14.  Continues to be a challenge with
recent developments
 Traditional relations of decades in
danger of being challenged
 Tri Lateral agreement
 Defence Treaties
 China factor

15. Inner
Arc
Outer
Arc
• Sri Lanka 21 mn investment
50 billion+!!
• Maldives- 350000
• Chinese tourists last year
330000!
• Investment 25% of GDP +
“The Maldives welcomes
and supports the proposal
put forward by China to
build the 21st Century
Maritime Silk Road, and is
prepared to actively
participate in relevant
cooperation,”……“The two
sides agreed to enhance
cooperation in other
areas, such as marine,
economy, and
security,”
…The two sides agreed to
strengthen defence
cooperation and to cooperate
in the areas of defence-
related science and
technology, exchange of
military academics, and
provide logistic support,"

16.  Pakistan –Gwadar
 Sri Lanka-Hambanthota
 Maldives
 Myanmar
 Bangladesh

17.  The reorientation to protect India’s maritime
interests appear to be paying dividends.
 Maldives still is a challenge.
 The engagement with Pacific powers Japan,
Australia besides US and also cooperative
initiatives with Vietnam and SE countries augurs
well.
 Need also to keep the focus on Middle East and
West Asia - The evacuation from Yemen has
lessons for India.
 China’s initiatives need to be watched carefully to
have a proactive stance in terms of protecting
our interests.

18.  Not losing sight of the Strategic Primacy of India in
the ocean named after it – The Indian Ocean .
 Ensure that the inner and the outer lines of maritime
periphery from Africa to Australia are not breached
by ERPs.
 Do all in India’s means to raise the levels of
engagement in all maritime spheres
 Look and Act East, West and South
 Connectivity, Cooperation, Engagement, Investment
Aid, Training and soft power application for
obtaining leverages in IOR.