The changing world order in the post-Cold War era has heralded the rise of economic globalisation which has been dominated by the desire to enhance inter-state economic relations. This has, in turn, given rise to associated security challenges. Over time, these challenges have been heightened by the increase in sea-borne trade in and around the Indian Ocean region.
The changing world order in the post-Cold War era has heralded the rise of economic globalization which has been dominated by the desire to enhance inter-state economic relations. This has, in turn, given rise to associated security challenges. Over time, these challenges have been heightened by the increase in sea-borne trade in and around the Indian Ocean region.
These developments have reinforced calls for more effective law enforcement and the maintenance of maritime order—in generic terms—by all littorals in the IOR (Indian Ocean Region), whether in tandem or in close cooperation with each other. Unfortunately, the very nature of regional diversity—coupled with diverse approaches towards maritime governance with a difference in priorities (in what is known as the Hierarchy of Relevance)—has led to lack of enforcement and hence an alarming rise in maritime crime. These crimes are primarily committed by non-state actors and criminal gangs against commercial shipping.
The current geopolitical scenario has spawned the rise of asymmetric challenges in the maritime sphere. These challenges are posed mostly by the activities of various non-state actors and increase the risks in sea-borne trade, thus affecting its free flow. In turn, this can have an indirect yet serious impact in the form of rising insurance premiums and, ultimately, on a trading nation’s economic well-being.
Some of the biggest challenges include: piracy, maritime terrorism, rise of narco-terrorism, and gun running.
No comments:
Post a Comment