Modi chairs UNSC meet, unveils 5-point maritime security framework

In a unique diplomatic exercise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security and underscored the urgent need for jointly fighting maritime threats such as piracy and terrorism.

Calling oceans “lifeline of international trade and the key to the planet’s future,” PM Modi drew attention of the international community to the “misuse of maritime routes for piracy and terrorism.”

The Indian leader presented five principles for global maritime security before the UNSC. These include: I)) Removing barriers to maritime trade II) Resolving maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law III) The international community should collectively fight maritime threats IV) Maritime environment and resources should be preserved V) Responsible maritime connectivity should be encouraged in accordance with fiscal sustainability and absorption capacity

Arguing for free, open and inclusive maritime architecture, PM Modi said that a global maritime architecture can be formed based on these five principles.

India’s role in the Indian Ocean has been that of a net security provider,” he said. “It is also necessary that we fully respect the rights of the seafarers of other countries,” Mr. Modi said in his chair’s remarks in Hindi.

The emphasis on shaping maritime connectivity on the basis of norms and fiscal accountability was a veiled critique of China’s mammoth trans-regional Belt and Road Initiative.

Arguing for free, open and inclusive maritime architecture, PM Modi said that a global maritime architecture can be formed based on these five principles.

The special Security Session meeting was also attended by some Heads of State & Government of member states of the United Nations Security Council, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta.

This is the first time that maritime security has been discussed in a holistic manner as an exclusive agenda item in such a high-level open debate in the UN Security Council.

This is also the first time an Indian prime minister has chaired a session of the United Nations Security Council.

India currently holds the rotating presidency of UN Security Council for the month of August and is a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2021-22.

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Manish Chand

Manish Chand is Founder-CEO and Editor-in-Chief of India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) and India and World, a pioneering magazine focused on international affairs. He is CEO/Director of TGII Media Private Limited, an India-based media, publishing, research and consultancy company.