‘We have to protect interests as Indian Ocean scenario is changing’: Ajit Doval
New Delhi, June 30
Changing geo-political scenario in the Indian Ocean region has led to international rivalries, clash of interests and competition. “It was important for us to protect our interests,” said the National Security Adviser (NSA), Ajit Doval.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the first meeting of the Multi Agency Maritime Security Group (MAMSG) on Thursday to discuss important policy matters impacting maritime security.
The MAMSG is coordinated from the office of the National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC) under the NSA.
Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar (Retd), assumed charge as the country’s first NMSC in February this year.
The group has members from key Central Ministries, Agencies and Security Forces dealing with maritime affairs and State Maritime Security Coordinators representing all 13 coastal States and UTs.
Doval said economic interests and coastal infrastructure are critical to exploit maritime resources to explore economic interests in question. Investment in technology is needed, he said, listing out drug-running piracy as threats. Keeping out foreign intelligence agencies is another aspect, Doval added.
Speaking about the MAMSG, the NSA said it is proposed to expand in the domains of coastal shipping and protection of economic and maritime interests.
Referring to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Doval listed a point that brought about the need for synergy in maritime domain.
Doval, while addressing the maritime security and its increasingly complex and challenging landscape, called for seamless coordination.
“We need to speak the same language and have a common operational picture that can be actionable,” Doval added.
After Doval spoke, a number of crucial policy issues on maritime security were taken up at the sessions.
These included mapping of existing orders and policies on maritime security to identify gaps, review of standard operating procedures for maritime contingencies, security of ports and coastal infrastructure, creation of a national maritime database, capacity building of coastal States and UTs and promotion of blue economy.
