Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum and India’s IPOI-Exploring Synergies

When one looks into the global maritime fulcrum and the seven pillars that it rests on, it resonates with India's vision with regard to Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI). The seven pillars of GMF are “maritime and human resources, defence, maritime security, enforcement of law and safety at sea, maritime governance, maritime economy and infrastructure, maritime spatial management and environmental protection along with developing maritime culture and diplomacy”, is going to emerge in the larger scheme of things particularly in the context of blue economy.

IPOI tries to cultivate the regional cooperation architecture, and apparatus to focus on seven central pillars which highlight “maritime security; maritime ecology; maritime resources; capacity building and resource sharing; disaster risk reduction and management; science, technology and academic cooperation; and trade connectivity and maritime transport”. The critical difference between GMF and IPOI is “capacity building and resource sharing; disaster risk reduction and management; science, technology and academic cooperation” areas. It is believed that Indonesia would work on synergising its efforts, and bring in science and technology aspects, as well as marine science and developing the underwater resources in a sustainable way.

India-ASEAN Action Plan 2021-2025 clearly states that maritime connectivity, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, defence dialogue and addressing issues related to maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded commerce and resolution of disputes by peaceful means looks into this domain where the outlook of the two countries converge.

In fact, ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) also highlights the fact that maritime security, and promoting dialogue and cooperation along with development and prosperity has been the underlying theme in the vision. India also believes that through the SAGAR initiative which means ‘security and growth for all in the region’ can develop potential areas of cooperation and development. While it is well known that Indonesia and its geographical expanse acts as a cradle to the larger Southeast Asia, it has become imperative for Indonesia to regain the space in the larger Indo-Pacific politics. The then foreign minister of Indonesia Marty Natalegawa had proposed the Indo-Pacific treaty highlighting the need for cooperative security in this larger geographical region.

In fact, India's initiative related to SAGARMALA and Jokowi’s administration's pursuit to develop new ports across Indonesia including 19 new ports and eight additional ports could connect to India’s SAGARMALA project. The two countries given their littoral status in the Indian Ocean region has been trying to develop port network so it has to develop the integrated infrastructure which could have developed and supported economic growth. Both the countries have been working on developing land infrastructure as well as ancillary ports which can support the hinterland.

However, India has also looked into this port infrastructure to support the naval operations as well as provide humanitarian relief and disaster management at times of crisis. Inland waterways and Golden quadrilateral highway projects are primarily seen from the point of view of alternate routes for promoting economic growth, and development across the length and breadth of India. Indonesia has also been working into addressing the security aspect of the Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF) however it is still the work in progress. It is being seen that in terms of developing Indonesian Navy the minimum essential force requirements might need extra budgetary support. It has planned for Navy to possess about 12 submarines, more than 50 frigates and corvettes, and nearly 70 patrol vessels by 2024. India looks into collaboration in developing naval platforms and even supporting Indonesia in its coastal security and coast guard operations.

India also looks into security cooperation with Indonesia and one of those aspect has been the development of the Sabang port, and increasing cooperation through the defence cooperation agreement signed in 2001. The global maritime fulcrum needs to move beyond, and look into how it can interconnect with the different initiatives which have been undertaken by countries in the periphery. The few things that can really bring about synergies between India and Indonesia in the context of Global Maritime Fulcrum would be under taking initiatives which can connect Africa- Asia together and create a biggest resource arc in the region. One of these initiatives which need special mention is the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) in which Japan along with many African countries are participants.

Prime Minister Suga has undertaken the visit to Indonesia so as to promote ties between the two countries. It has become imperative for India, Japan and Indonesia to work on development priorities and also look for areas of cooperation particularly in the context of 4th Industrial Revolution and connecting the dots particularly port infrastructure starting from eastern Africa, through peninsular India and thereafter connecting the important ports in Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia accordingly. This maritime link would be critical in developing regional resilient supply chain and promote trade between the littoral countries of Indian Ocean. It would also reduce freight costs and fulfil the cargo requirements for cost reduction in shipping routes.  

As it is well known that the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor which is still in the blueprint mode might provide some impetuous for interlinking of these ports and developing the Internet infrastructure. The global maritime fulcrum also needs to look into developing digital economy and implementing digital resources and data in managing maritime trade and Commerce in the Indian Ocean region. It is proposed that the three countries India, Japan and Indonesia Commission a tri-lateral dialogue mechanism which can look into different aspects related to economic growth, maritime security and pooling of resources so as to achieve maximum benefits do the communities in the coastal region as well as share the best practices among the three countries. This whole connection between the three countries through the 'U' initiative.

While many European countries have started outlining their Indo-Pacific strategy and looking for potential, there is a need for revisiting the balance of trade and look into regional value chain across region supported by coastal port network. Long term agreements and also making legal and procedural aspects need to be easier. While India has been stated that it has not joined RCEP but it is strongly believed that India would work on a bilateral arrangement with each of the countries to provide country specific tariff concession and procedural aspects. India, Indonesia and other countries need to work on shipping code and stringent laws on polluting ships and also rogue ships which use certain provisions in third world to draw benefits.  

(Pic courtesy-Nitesh Jain at unsplash.com

(The views expressed are personal.)