The Indian Ocean has never been an impediment but an enabler towards forging closer and mutually beneficial ties between our people: RM
Text of RM’s speech on ‘India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region- Civilisational Partners with intertwined destinies’ in Colombo.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
नमस्कार, Good Afternoon, Ayubowan, Vanakkam.
At the very outset, let me convey my gratitude for the warmth and hospitality extended to me and my delegation. I am deeply touched by the affection and warm welcome accorded to me and my delegation. It is an honor to interact with you all.
I am glad to be amidst our closest friends, the Sri Lankan Military leadership. Our ties extend from cultural to professional ones as I am told that many of you at some point or other have received training in some form or other in Indian training institutions. Therefore, it is very pleasing to speak to you.
Allow me to share my thoughts on a topic, which in my opinion, is of both historical and contemporary relevance. This topic is:
‘India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region – Civilizational Partners with Intertwined Destinies’.
India and Sri Lanka are closely linked through our shared historical and civilizational heritage. The Indian Ocean is intrinsic to this link. It has connected us across many centuries and it would remain relevant as we collectively carve our shared future.
The Indian Ocean has never been an impediment but an enabler towards forging closer and mutually beneficial ties between our people. In a rapidly changing geo-political landscape the Indian Ocean has come to occupy a place of immense contemporary relevance. As emerging economies and fellow democracies, we have a shared future.
Our forefathers- the adventurous seafarers and voyagers- charted the vast expanse of this ocean, discovering new lands and reaching out to people across the huge span of this mighty ocean. Such interactions enriched our cultures and contributed to our world view. This world view enabled us to visualise the world as a global family- this philosophy is central to India’s concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
Sri Lanka occupies a salient strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region, overlooking a vast ocean characterized by crisscrossing busy trade routes. These routes are not only the arteries for global trade, but also determine the trajectory of our growth, and development as well as the safety and security of our region.
Friends, history reminds us that the nations which understood the sea, mastered it. As the strategist Alfred Thayer observed over a century ago, “who rules the sea, rules the world.” That truth has only deepened with time. Today, the Indian Ocean is not merely a waterway, but the stage on which the economic and strategic future of our region will be written. For India and Sri Lanka, both maritime nations bound by this shared ocean, this is not a matter of abstract theory but of lived, everyday reality — one that shapes our trade, our security, and our destinies alike.
Sri Lanka, like India, is undoubtedly central to any strategic discourse on maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. In Sri Lanka, India sees a friendly neighbour, a longstanding friend and a reliable partner.
India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation is thus not only mutually beneficial but quintessential to our collective safety and security.
There are several complementarities that make our maritime cooperation productive and mutually beneficial. From capacity building to joint exercises, our cooperation helps us to sharpen our skill-sets and upgrade our competencies to handle emerging challenges. But we need not be oblivious to the rapidly changing global and regional dynamics where honing and sharpening our skills, developing and implementing joint protocols and sharing experiences are absolute necessities. It needs to be a continuous process.
At the same time, going beyond the traditional template, we need to build upon the existing complementarities and develop new paradigms for a closer and stronger maritime partnership. This is the basis of MAHASAGAR, Prime Minister Modi’s vision for the Indian Ocean Region. ‘Mutual’ and ‘Holistic’ are key words in this concept, underscoring the importance of synergy, cooperation and collaboration.
National security and economic growth & development cannot be seen in isolation. They are linked with our geography which is intrinsic to the security of our region. Neither country can afford to remain indifferent to developments in our region. Such developments are not only relevant for our collective safety and security but they also affect regional growth and developments. Freedom of navigation and ensuring open trade routes are crucial for growth and prosperity of our region. Therefore, secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, respect for international law, unhindered maritime trade and commerce should remain our pivotal priorities.
It is essential that we work together towards shaping a favorable, secure maritime environment, remaining ready to address emerging maritime challenges in the first instance, before they become a serious threat to our developmental interests and the bright future of our region.
We have achieved a lot together for example in the field of Search & Rescue Operations, saving precious lives. Some of the notable mentions include our excellent coordination during the MT New Diamond incident and MV X-press Pearl firefighting assistance.
Similarly, we have been working together in the realm of counter-narcotics, anti-piracy and human trafficking. In this regards our mutual association in Colombo Security Conclave which focuses on Maritime Safety, Counter terrorism, Cyber Security and organized Crime becomes more relevant than ever before. It should remain our focus and priority.
The commissioning of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, established with shared collaboration is an excellent example of our mutual commitment for keeping the waters of the Indian Ocean safe and secure.
India is always willing to join hands with our Sri Lankan colleagues in areas like capacity building and exercises. India is also committed to assisting Sri Lanka in whichever way possible to further enhance such cooperation.
I foresee a future where our two countries move forward as joint stake holders in developing a mutually beneficial and integrated maritime domain awareness system to provide comprehensive maritime information on real time basis. This would entail systematic cooperation and interaction amongst concerned agencies, navies and Coast Guards of the two countries with a view to addressing the challenges of illegal fishing, suspicious vessels tracking, narcotics trafficking, smuggling, terrorism and other security threats.
I am aware of the challenges faced by fishermen of the two countries.
We need to work together to address fisheries disputes in a mutually beneficial manner keeping in view the relevant laws and geographic jurisdictions. We need to work together to strengthen our systems to avoid fisheries disputes, handle them with due care and concern as this is a livelihood issue, while at the same time ensure maritime law enforcement.
In my view maritime cooperation should include, in addition to the security framework, an institutionalized structure for deepening and strengthening an economic framework in areas including fisheries and aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean science, maritime environment protection and preservation and maritime tourism.
Our two countries can establish a joint maritime HADR system by involving all concerned agencies, disaster management and scientific organisations to cooperate and provide rapid response in cases of natural calamities and man-made disasters.
To conclude, let me reiterate that India would be delighted to share it’s experience and work closely with Sri Lanka for the continued growth and prosperity of our region. Our development projects in Sri Lanka are always focused on the requirements of the people of Sri Lanka and the priorities set by the Sri Lankan Government.
As the Indian Ocean is entering into a period of profound strategic and economic transformation. India and Sri Lanka, must synergise their efforts and build upon our collective competencies to tackle the emerging challenges.
Our ports can become engines of shared economic growth, while our maritime industries can become the drivers for the future prosperity not only of our own people but our region as well. The future of India–Sri Lanka relations should therefore be based on a simple premise – that proximity creates interdependence – which in turn creates immense opportunities for a shared evolution.
It is this spirit of interdependence that shapes India’s approach to Sri Lanka, as a true Vishwa-Mitra, or trusted global friend, committed to playing a constructive and dependable role in our shared neighbourhood. For India and Sri Lanka, holistic maritime security and mutual prosperity are two sides of the same coin — indivisible, and achievable only through cooperation, trust, and shared commitment.
Together, India and Sri Lanka are well positioned to serve as the closest partners in safeguarding peace, security, and stability across the Indian Ocean Region.
धन्यवाद, Thank you, Bohoma Stuti, Nandri!!