Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prepares for an Indian Ocean Tour

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prepares for an Indian Ocean Tour

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on his first tour abroad this year. Modi will conduct a three-nation tour across the Indian Ocean next week, stopping over in Seychelles, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. The Maldives, a stop originally on Modi's agenda, has been struck after the sudden emergence of a political crisis there in late February. Modi's trip will focus on increasing Indian economic and strategic ties with these Indian Ocean states. Last September, before coming to India, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Sri Lanka and the Maldives, prompting Indian concern. Modi will spend the 11th of March in Seychelles before heading to Mauritius from the 11th to the 12th. He will conclude his trip in Sri Lanka on the 13th and 14th of the month. Modi will be the guest of honor at Mauritius' National Day celebrations.

Modi's visit to Sri Lanka comes shortly after the country's new president, Maithripala Sirisena, visited New Delhi. During Sirisena's visit, he and Modi welcomed a "new beginning" in India-Sri Lanka relations. Sirisena's predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa was widely seen to favor increasing strategic ties with China. He crystallized closer ties between Sri Lanka and China in the form of inbound investment in infrastructure and by even allowing port calls by Chinese naval vessels. Sirisena's government has announced that it will challenge Chinese loans that were approved under the former government and bar port visits by Chinese submarines — both positive signals for India. Sirisena's government has additionally temporarily suspended the China-funded Colombo Port City project. Modi's visit will likely build on the positive momentum generated during Sirisena's New Delhi visit and lead to a broader rapprochement between the two neighbors.

The Indian prime minister's decision to cancel his trip to the Maldives will send a clear signal to the government in Male. As I noted in a reflection on India's policy options after the Maldivian government brutally arrested and incarcerated the country's first democratically elected president and current opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed, canceling the visit is a fairly low intensity way for New Delhi to stress its condemnation of Nasheed's treatment. Abdulla Yameen, the current president of the Maldives, will know that his government's attempts to subvert democracy and the rule of law will lead to regional isolation. Without resorting to more dramatic tools such as economic sanctions, New Delhi will send a clear message. The Maldivian opposition continues to support India and economic isolation could risk that. The prime minister's decision to scrap Male off his itinerary is sensible.

The Modi government envisages an active role for India in the Indian Ocean Region as a proactive economic and security actor. In Mauritius and Seychelles, Modi will likely look to seal agreements for an expanded Indian security role. India's navy chief visited the Seychelles last fall, handing over the INS Tarmugli, an Indian Fast Attack Craft (FAC), to the government there. Additionally, India has provided military technical assistance to the Seychelles Coast Guard. Three Indian warships accompanied Indian navy chief R.K. Dhowan's November 2014 visit to the country. Similarly, the Indian Navy has provided training to the Mauritius Coast Guard. Agreements for increased maritime security cooperation with these countries are a very likely outcome of Modi's planned visits.

China's recent interest in integrating these island states into its 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative has invigorated India's interest in the Indian Ocean — a region it sees as its maritime "back yard." Shortly after his election victory in May 2014, Modi emphasized that his approach to Indian foreign policy would emphasize India's immediate neighborhood. For India to secure its place as the preeminent regional power in South Asia, it needs to ensure a sustainable process of strategic rapprochement with Indian Ocean states. Modi's tour of Sri Lanka, Mauritus, and the Seychelles will be a good start toward that objective.


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prepares for an Indian Ocean Tour | The Diplomat
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Isnt a civilian nuclear deal with Srilanka in progress?

 

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India’s military aid to counter China - The Times of India

 

[Ray]

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Good that he has decided to give Maldives a skip.

 

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Modi's blue cruise: He has a unique opportunity to make the Indian Ocean the nation's geopolitical nerve centre

India was a maritime power before China had even heard of the term. As Narendra Modi sets off on his 'blue' journey, he has a unique opportunity to secure India's strategic interests by making the Indian Ocean the nation's geopolitical nerve centre. If we needed a reality check, just last week a senior Chinese naval strategist declared China needed six aircraft carriers to 'secure' the Indian Ocean.

In 2011, India put in place the beginnings of an Indian Ocean policy with an informal grouping with Sri Lanka and Maldives. By 2014, Seychelles and Mauritius were invited as observers and a new division carved out in MEA. But in the past few months, India has crystallised a more comprehensive 'blue' policy, which will be articulated by Modi when he speaks at the National Day celebrations in Mauritius.

While China does the grand plan with the maritime silk road, Indian foreign policy is generally notorious for stringing a post facto narrative around unrelated events. Unusually, we can actually see the contours of a bigger maritime policy taking shape. For the first time, the Indian Ocean is being seen as an 'integrated' entity, stretching from the west coast of Australia to India's immediate neighbours (Sri Lanka, Maldives), small island states in south-central Indian Ocean (Mauritius, Seychelles); later expansions should include Oman in the west and Mozambique.

Defence and security form the bedrock of the new maritime vision. It's important here to look at the recent India-US decision to build India's future aircraft carrier, a decision that got more resonance in Beijing than New Delhi. If we can build a couple of them with the coveted electromagnetic launching systems in the coming decade, India can seriously project power in its neighbourhood. India should soon get the first US-2 seaplanes from Japan, which should enhance ocean reach significantly.

India is also taking the first steps to utilising space assets to build greater maritime domain awareness, essential if India has to dominate the ocean. One of the world's premier space faring nations, India should be able to build eyes and ears for the Indian Ocean, at least to withstand China's growing disruptive space capabilities.

Modi will launch India's first export warship to Mauritius, and over a dozen naval vessels will be exported in the next year. Rousing itself from an institutional lethargy, India is pushing its shipyards to build more ships and other vessels for small Indian Ocean island countries in this region. That, by the way, is another page in Make in India.

Hydrography is to maritime power what Bollywood is to Indian foreign policy. One of the global leaders in this crucial but unsexy science, India should offer to map the ocean for small countries for their development, defence and security, an invaluable service. Indian hydrographers have done fantastic work and its time they are included in our strategic outreach.

The second facet of the Indian Ocean vision is the new buzzword – 'blue economy', an idea already in operation in China. This is where India, with its unending coastline and EEZ can team successfully with Seychelles and Mauritius, even Mozambique and Tanzania for 'blue development'. That is, sustainable harvesting of ocean wealth, tourism, biotechnology etc. from Lakshadweep's 36 islands to Seychelles and Mozambique in a way that promotes mass employment in zero carbon sectors. India hasn't yet focused on the blue economy, but this should be the future.

Development of the marine economy on the western seaboard not only links India's economy to other oceanic economies, it has big security implications. After 26/11, naval authorities have accounted for fishermen and fishing villages on the western seaboard. More tourism, more economic activity adds to security.

Frankly, India needs to build a blue economy plan with Sri Lanka – the present Indian approach of bottom trawling fishermen is unsustainable both from the environment and foreign policy points of view. Investment and corporate interest will inevitably follow, because security and finance are generally close bedfellows.

With Modi's focus on the diaspora, the popular connect in this region is a given. He will thrill the crowds in Sri Lanka, where an Indian PM is visiting after Rajiv Gandhi was butted down 28 years ago. Mauritius is a favourite destination for round-tripping of illegitimate cash by Indian companies; surely he can find some use for them in advancing Indian interests?

If the first phase of the Indian Ocean policy was the outreach to Australia and Japan, and the second phase is starting this week, the third phase should involve another maritime friend – Oman. A long-standing maritime power (remember Oman used to own Zanzibar), Indian Ocean outreach will need this relationship. Oman is the only country with whom India conducts tri-service exercises. While using Salalah port, India should look more closely at making a place for itself in Oman's new port of Duqm. Its location close to Gwadar makes it attractive to India. Let's not wake up after the US and other powers have carved it out for themselves. For strategic interests and economic interests it's an opportunity not to be missed.

India believes it is a 'net provider of security' in the Indian Ocean. The proof of this pudding will be if India delivers on the ground as speedily as Modi rolls out his speeches.

Modi's blue cruise: He has a unique opportunity to make the Indian Ocean the nation's geopolitical nerve centre - TOI Blogs

 

[Ray]

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Some politician commented that Modi was more like an NRI PM than a real PM. Others call him a foreign minister rather than a prime minister. It appears that modi is only interested in pleasing foreigners and punishing Indians with high taxes.

You sure appear to be illiterate being ill read and ill informed and know not what you write.

If you studied Nehru and Indira Gandhi, you would realise that they solely, especially Nehru and Indira Gandhi, steered India's Foreign Policy. Did that make them Foreign Minister and not Prime Minister?

In fact, Nehru guide the world's attitude to looking at the world with a neutral eye with the formation of NAM. Did that make him India's Foreign Minister and World's UN Secretary General?

How is Modi pleasing foreigners and punishing India?

You want a free roll in the hay?

Pakistanis are sure riled about Modi. Rings a bell?

 

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India, Seychelles sign 4 pacts to boost security cooperation : India, News - India Today

 

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Coastal Surveillance Radar System, Seychelles.

PM Narendra Modi unveils Coastal Surveillance Radar System in Seychelles.

Reaching from coast to coast. Checkout the reach of Coastal Surveillance Radar System unveiled by PM Narendra Modi.

 

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India Signs Five Pacts with Mauritius; Offers USD 500 Million Credit - The New Indian Express

 

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Modi off to strategic start: India to develop two islands in Indian Ocean

Giving a leg-up to its plans to increase strategic footprint in Indian Ocean, New Delhi will be developing two islands-- Assumption islands in Seychelles and Agalega in Mauritius.

Though infrastructure development of these islands that India would undertake will be part of the blue economy blueprint, they hold immense strategic significance as it comes in the wake of China expanding its role in the Indian ocean littoral states from Seychelles to Sri Lanka.

Assumption island is north of Madagascar and has a runway as well. Agalega are two outer islands of Mauritius. Though there is no recorded history of it, this group of islands was known to be used by Arab and Malay sailors.

"Our agreement today on the development of infrastructure in the Assumption Island (Seychelles) gives a strong boost to this partnership," said Modi in a media statement. He stressed on the ocean economy playing a vital role in meeting India's future challenges.

"Short it may be, but this visit has been very productive. It is no surprise that Seychelles is my first destination in the Indian Ocean Region," Modi, the first Prime Minister to visit Seychelles in 34 years, said. Indira Gandhi had visited the country in 1981.

Modi announced that India will give a second Dronier aircraft to the country.

He also launched the Coastal Surveillance Radar Project, describing it as another symbol of the cooperation between the two countries.

"Our security partnership is strong. It has enabled us to fulfil our shared responsibility to advance maritime security in the region," he said, calling the country as a trusted friend and strategic partner.

Modi will take part in the national day celebrations of Mauritius on Thursday and will visit Sri Lanka on Friday.

 

[amoy]

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Being a IOR stakeholder China is adding value to the island nations with her economic and commercial prowess.

Modi’s Trip and China's Islands: The Battle for the Indian Ocean | The Diplomat

There are two reasons for China's expansion into the Indian Ocean. First, some of these islands — such as Kyaukpyu — can prove to be China's answer to its Malacca Dilemma, strengthening its energy security by reducing its dependence on the Strait of Malacca. Second, an increasing presence in the Indian Ocean is crucial in strengthening Beijing's role as a key actor in the emerging security architecture in the Indo-Pacific. There is no doubt that China aspires to be a maritime power. Beijing realizes that to be considered as a great power, it must have a role and stake beyond its region — beyond the Western Pacific and throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Having attained a favorable status quo in the Western Pacific, China is now engaging with the island nations of the Indian Ocean through its investments and commercial initiatives. It is through its relationship and investments with these nations that Beijing aims to project itself as a resident power of the Indian Ocean, leading to a greater security role throughout the Indo-Pacific. However, unlike in the Western Pacific, the Indian Ocean is already home to many resident middle powers, wary of China's unilateral and hostile maritime policies. As a result, the possibility of increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean is leading to competition for geostrategic space, especially between India and China. This article looks at the island nations of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles, against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Indian Ocean tour.

Maldives

The Republic of Maldives is strategically located in the Indian Ocean, close to some of the critical trading routes passing through the region. Though a small island nation, its strategic importance can be relayed from the fact that instability in the waters of Maldives can essentially affect critical global trading routes. While Male is far from flexing any military muscle in the region, access to and influence over this island can help another nation project power through the region. This is perhaps the reason why Male is comfortably sitting in the middle of a geostrategic tussle between India and China unfolding in the Indian Ocean.

Though geographically closer to India and historically within its sphere of strategic influence, Maldives is increasingly strengthening its relationship with Beijing. Chinese investments in the Maldives have increased over the years, ranging from housing projects to infrastructure projects such as building roads and airports. The China-Maldives economic cooperation has experienced a boost ever since the Abdulla Yameen government came into power in November 2013. The Chinese ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Fukang, mentioned three critical areas where Beijing and Male should increase their cooperation, indicating an expansion of their economic and strategic ties. The three areas mentioned by Wang are tourism, infrastructure projects, and, finally, closer maritime cooperation between the two nations.

Noting the Chinese impact on the Maldivian tourism sector, the Ambassador stated, "Since 2010, China has remained the largest source of tourist arrivals in the Maldives. In 2013 alone, more than 330,000 Chinese tourists visited Maldives. In the future, both sides could encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Maldives. Maldives could attract potential Chinese companies to invest in the tourism sector of the country."

Investing in infrastructure projects in the Indian Ocean appears to be Beijing's preferred approach for obtaining a strong foothold in the region. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative (which still lacks clear details or a clear intent) further boosts this policy. Maldives is an important player in China's Indian Ocean game and hence infrastructure projects on this island nation are critical. When President Xi Jinping traveled to the Maldives in September 2014, agreement on infrastructure projects in the country was a key outcome. It is equally important to note that this was the first ever visit by a Chinese leader to the Maldives. Along with housing and road projects, the two leaders also agreed to upgrade the main airport and to build a bridge connecting Male to Hulhule — the island where the Male International Airport is located. While initially the agreement was to upgrade the existing airport, reports now suggest the building of a whole new airport with a second runway.

The Chinese presence in Maldives is very prominent through its housing and development projects, so much so that their Ministry of Foreign Affairs building was designed and constructed by Beijing. Increase in Chinese investments in Maldives will provide Beijing with a legitimate platform to increase its military presence in the area. China will have every right to protect its commercial interests in the region both during war and peace times. These infrastructure investments also carry the possibility of being turned into military installations. There is palpable fear, especially in India, of China dominating the foreign investment sector in Maldives.

While the previous government tilted toward Indian influence in the Indian Ocean, the current government seems to favor China. With the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed, Maldives is descending into political turmoil. While countries such as India and the U.S. have expressed concerns over the arrest and political dissent in the country, Beijing refused to comment on the issue stating that "We are committed to non-interference in other countries' domestic affairs." China's stance has been well appreciated by the Yameen government, while pro Nasheed supporters have expressed their concerns about anti democratic trends.

Speaking at a conference hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, Ahmed Naseem (former foreign minister of Maldives) stated, "For Maldives it is imperative to stand together with India to balance Indian Ocean security and protect the interests of the Maldives in a growing gamble for power in the Indian Ocean." The Maldivian delegation led by the Naseem was in India to urge New Delhi to play its role in stabilizing Maldives and in balancing Beijing's presence in the country. Thanks to growing investments joined with its "non-interference in domestic affairs" policy, Beijing appears to be a favorite for the current government in the Maldives.

Male's reliance on China for an economic boost under the current government is dangerous for both Maldives and India. China increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean through the Maldives is no longer a distant possibility and New Delhi must wake up to the strategic changes taking place so close to home. However, the Narendra Modi government is taking note of these developments and seem to be willing to shoulder its responsibility as a security actor in the Indo-Pacific. Maldives was one of the countries that Modi was supposed to visit during his travels beginning March 11, in an attempt to revive India-Maldives ties and balance increasing Chinese presence in its Indian Ocean neighborhood. Unfortunately due to the ongoing political turmoil, Maldives has been dropped from Modi's itinerary. Modi will still tour Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Mauritius.

Seychelles

The republic of Seychelles is another player in the emerging geostrategic competition in the Indian Ocean. The 115-island nation located in the Indian Ocean constantly fights to keep its EEZ secure and safe from pirates. Seychelles' location and proximity to the coast of Africa make it a lucrative option for Beijing to establish a naval base in the country. China is already participating in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and has growing economic interests in Africa.

In 2011, it was widely reported that Seychelles offered China maritime bases for refueling purposes while conducting its anti piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. The reports created a significant amount of unease in New Delhi; such a move would give Beijing the opportunity to expand its presence in the Indian Ocean, facilitating Chinese naval operations far beyond its shores. While China was quick to dismiss any possibility of a military base overseas, the possibility of such a development is higher today.

It is not news that Beijing aspires to extend its influence to the Indian Ocean. What is alarming is the use of commercial and economic initiatives to create a reason to maintain a permanent presence in the Indian Ocean Region. China is quick to dismiss any plans of creating military bases overseas, but Chinese maritime strategists such as Shen Dingli advocate the need for China to set up overseas military bases. In an article titled "Don't shun the idea of setting up overseas bases," Shen asserts that "etting up overseas military bases is not an idea we have to shun; on the contrary, it is our right." Encapsulating the reason behind China's need to expand into the Indian Ocean, Shen further argues, "The real threat to us is not posed by the pirates but by the countries which block our trade route." Shen continues:

"The threats also include secessionism outside the Chinese mainland. The situation requires us be able to hit the vulnerable points of our potential opponents by restricting their international waterway. So we need to set up our own blue-water navy and to rely on the overseas military bases to cut the supply costs."

China is gearing up to protect its energy imports that pass through the Indian Ocean. Evidently, Beijing is not comfortable with Washington and New Delhi being the security providers in the region. Inability to sustain troops in the region would mean that China's energy imports will be highly vulnerable in the event of a military standoff with either the United States or India. Currently, India and Seychelles share close military ties as New Delhi helps the island nation secure its EEZ by presenting surveillance aircrafts and patrolling ships.

By increasing its economic investments in the Indian Ocean Region, Beijing is creating a legitimate reason to maintain a military presence in the Indian Ocean. While New Delhi cannot stop China from making inroads into the Indian Ocean, it must step up its game and increase cooperation with these island nations in order to balance the situation. This is why New Delhi is looking to increase its security cooperation with Seychelles and hopes to balance the situation through Narendra Modi's ongoing Indian Ocean tour.

Sri Lanka

India's ties with Sri Lanka date back to historical and cultural linkages in ancient times. Geographically located at the tip of India, the island nation is considered to be within New Delhi's sphere of strategic influence. However, strengthening ties with Beijing through infrastructure projects are creating tension in the Indian Ocean politics between China and India. An area of great discomfort for India has been the frequent docking of Chinese submarines in Colombo.

The previous government of Mahinda Rajapaksa appeared fairly China-friendly, awarding many infrastructure development projects to Beijing. The Maithripala Sirisena government is now reviewing all Chinese investments in the country, especially the $1.5 billion port city project. Explaining the reason for the re-assessment, Sri Lanka's investment promotion minister, Kabir Hashim, noted that "The port city project has to be completely looked at"¦ You cannot have land given on freehold basis to another country in a high security zone." According to reports, the project would give China around 100 hectares of land "an outright basis and the rest on a 99-year lease."

The issue of Chinese submarines docking at Colombo is a perfect example of Beijing using its commercial initiatives to gradually increase and maintain its military presence in the Indian Ocean. It is interesting to note that the submarine docked at the Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd., (CICT), a terminal constructed by China Merchants Holdings (International) Co., Ltd. (CMHI), much to India's surprise and concern. CMHI holds 85 percent ownership of the terminal.

The Sirisena government is now reassuring India that such "incidents, from whatever quarter, do not take place under our tenure."

In this context, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Sri Lanka from March 13-14 is of great significance to reassert India's ties with Colombo. Prime Minister Modi will also be addressing the Sri Lankan Parliament along with a visit to Jaffna. While the new government in Colombo reviews its relationship with Beijing, New Delhi must be available to assert its support and strengthen its ties with the tear drop nation of the Indian Ocean.

Modi will also be traveling to Mauritius, another small but significant country in the Indian Ocean. As the island nation looks to attract investments from China, India is stepping up its game by providing a 1,300-tonne Indian-built patrol vessel, the Barracuda, to Mauritius to help the island nation protect its coastline. Modi will also address the National Assembly and will attend the Mauritius National Day on March 12. Narendra Modi's Indian Ocean tour comes at a much needed time to re-assure the Indian Ocean islands that New Delhi is present and willing to shoulder its responsibility in maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean.

It is quite clear that China is engaging with the island nations in the Indian Ocean Region through small but significant projects, leveraging its strategic interests. What Beijing essentially aims to do is create an atmosphere where Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean becomes inevitable. While India may not indulge in any China containment policy, there is a dire need for New Delhi to reengage with these islands and secure its strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.

 

[Ray]

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India to develop two islands in Indian Ocean

In a major boost for India in the Indian Ocean, the government has bagged ''infrastructure development rights'' for two islands in the region - Agalega from Mauritius and Assumption from Seychelles - during PM Narendra Modi's ocean outreach comprising visits to Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka.

New Delhi marked its Indian Ocean presence with Modi offering to set up joint working groups with the two blue economies in the region to harness potential for economic cooperation. The understanding to allow India to develop these islands is of huge strategic significance for India which is widely seen as having lost out to China in having a purposeful engagement with the littoral states despite its own central location.

The Modi government has sought to address the issue by acknowledging the primacy of Indian Ocean for India's security and for maintaining peace and stability in the region. Official sources said that the development rights for the two islands had been discussed for months before these were successfully concluded during Modi's visit in a sign that ''Indian Ocean was going to be India's Ocean''.

''Our agreement today on the development of infrastructure in the Assumption Island (Seychelles) gives a strong boost to this partnership,'' said Modi in a media statement, adding that the ocean economy was indispensable to meeting India's future challenges. Modi also launched a Coastal Surveillance Radar Project

READ ALSO: PM Modi leaves on 3-nation tour to 'reinvigorate relations'

India signed an MoU with Mauritius for setting up and upgrading infrastructure for improving sea and air connectivity at the outer island of Mauritius ''which will go a long way in ameliorating the condition of the inhabitants of this remote Island". Foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said these facilities are also expected to enhance the capabilities of the Mauritian defence forces in safeguarding their interests in the island.

Until recently India seemed ill-equipped to meet the challenge from China which aggressively sought to expand its presence in the Indian Ocean by undertaking mega infrastructure projects in several littoral countries. Its maritime silk road proposal was embraced by many of these countries including Sri Lanka which Modi will be visiting on Friday. China's decision to send submarines in Indian Ocean right up to the Gulf of Aden in the recent past has added another dimension to the problem for India. While the new government in Sri Lanka is expected to address India's security concerns which it repeatedly and unsuccessfully raised with the previous government of Mahinda Rajapaksa, the situation in Maldives is still not to New Delhi's liking as pro India former President Mohamed Nasheed remains under detention.

India signed another MoU with Mauritius which will provide an extensive framework for cooperation in the field of ocean economy. It provides for mutually beneficial cooperation for exploration and capacity development in the field of marine resources, fisheries, green tourism, research and development of ocean technology, exchange of experts and other related activities.

India to develop two islands in Indian Ocean - The Times of India

 

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PM Modi leaves on 3-nation tour to 'reinvigorate relations'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday left for his five-day visit to three key Indian Ocean countries which includes Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. India's national security adviser Ajit Doval and foreign secretary S Jaishankar are accompanying the Prime Minister.

Seychelles will be Prime Minister's first stop. Seeking to ramp up India's influence along a strategic maritime route, Modi said it attaches "paramount importance" to strengthening relations with countries in the Indian Ocean region.

Modi, who will be the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Seychelles in 33 years and to Sri Lanka in 28 years, is expected to tap into the "substantive" goodwill and historical linkages between India and the three Indian Ocean economies which offer new possibilities of cooperation in defence and economic spheres.
PM Modi leaves on 3-nation tour to 'reinvigorate relations' - The Times of India

 

[pmaitra]

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What are the 4 pacts signed with Seychelles? The news articles have a lot of words in them, but from information perspective, they are hollow.

 

[anoop_mig25]

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India to develop two islands in Indian Ocean

India to develop two islands in Indian Ocean - The Times of India

Now that Indian have got rights hope they developed it like chinese do , and not like chadar or else India would be know as No work only talking i.e Nato country

 

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Now that Indian have got rights hope they developed it like chinese do , and not like chadar or else India would be know as No work only talking i.e Nato country

Unlike previous Govts, to include ABV's, this Govt seems to have its strategic perspective right and positive in its approach. I am sure Modi will personally oversee the projects and he has an able hawkeye in the form of Doval. And Sushma Swaraj is proving to be no spring chicken either.

Unfortunately, folks like Al-genius does not understand the import and hence feels the PM is actually an FM.

 

[JBH22]

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Modi in Mauritius


Modi performs puja in Mauritius. Secular would be appalled by this. Sagarika where are you

 

[amoy]

Re: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prepares for an Indian Ocean T

Let money do the talking!

China's 'Silk Road fund' becomes operational - The Hindu

China has taken a firm step to implement its vision of the Silk Road Economic Belt — an initiative to integrate the economies of Asia and Europe along the Eurasian corridor — by putting into operation its $40 billion infrastructure fund for this purpose.

The fund, flagged in November last by Chinese President Xi Jinping, has started functioning on the lines of Private Equity (PE) venture. With China as the fulcrum, it is meant to finance development of roads, rail tracks, fibre optic highways, and much more, that would connect South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Europe along an integrated land corridor.

Funds can also be allocated for the Maritime Silk Road (MSR), which envisions development of ports and facilities, mainly in the Indian Ocean. These ports will be connected to the hinterland by a string of land arteries, which will eventually hook up with the main Silk Road Economic Belt at specific junctions.

Xinhua quoted President Xi as saying during the November meeting with officials from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Tajikistan that the purpose of the fund is to "break the connectivity bottleneck" in Asia.

The Chinese President had offered investors from Asia and beyond to join the Silk Road fund for the development of specific projects.

The $40 billion fund was in addition to the decision to establish a $50 billion Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which is also meant to help finance construction in the region.

 

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Modi's Indian Ocean Tour Shows That India's Watching China

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a tour across the Indian Ocean this week that is noteworthy both for where he's going and where he's not.

He's already arrived in the Seychelles, a strategically important island off the African coast that has become increasingly close to India in its geopolitical orientation, though it is 3,800 kilometers from the Indian coast. He then moves on to Mauritius, another Indian Ocean island country whose single largest ethnic group is Indians, where he will be the chief guest at the Independence Day celebrations on March 12 and address the National Assembly. Finally, he ends up in Sri Lanka for talks with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took charge of the government in January with the election defeat of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. As Modi pointed out before leaving, his meeting with Sirisena would be their second summit in a month, since the new president's first foreign destination after taking office in Colombo was India.

"My visit to the three Indian Ocean Island countries reflects our foreign policy priorities in India's immediate and extended neighbourhood," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said upon his departure, stressing his determination to intensify engagement, and close relations, with countries in the strategically important Indian Ocean region. This will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since 1981 to the Seychelles, and the first since 1981 to Sri Lanka, though Mauritius has featured more frequently on Indian prime ministerial itineraries.

But Modi pointedly dropped from his plans the Maldives, once a close and reliable Indian partner and a country to which New Delhi had just rushed millions of gallons of bottled water when the tiny country's main water treatment plant broke down. The new Maldives regime's crackdown on democracy and its refusal to heed India's requests to stop persecuting former President Nasheed have not gone down well in New Delhi, and the long-planned prime ministerial visit has been scuttled in a clear signal of Indian displeasure.

"New Delhi has now woken up to the danger of being outrun in its own neighborhood."

At the same time, the message of the visit is evident: India is waking up to the importance and potential of its own position in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, contesting proprietary notions in New Delhi about the Indian Ocean, had once trenchantly remarked that it was a mere whimsy of nomenclature that the ocean had been named Indian; "it could just as well have been called the Madagascar Sea." Moynihan loved being provocative, of course, but in its obsession with its troubled land borders with Pakistan and China, India had indeed overlooked its maritime interests, often acting as if the ocean was an accident of geography rather than a vital strategic setting. In recent years, under Modi's immediate predecessor Manmohan Singh, this had begun to change. His trip now sets the seal on a dramatic reorientation of Indian strategic thinking.

The strong ties with Mauritius, for instance, had long been based on ethnic sentiment, ever since Indian indentured laborers had been transported there 175 years ago. But now there is a distinct security dimension to the relationship, as the importance of securing the sea lanes across the Indian Ocean has dawned on New Delhi. The previous government had given Mauritius Indian-made helicopters; Modi will conduct the joint commissioning of an India-built offshore patrol vessel being gifted to Mauritius. Sentiment, of course, is never wholly absent, and Modi will also launch the beginning of construction work for the building of a World Hindi Secretariat in Port Louis.

Similarly, the repeated affirmations of friendship with Sri Lanka followed a period under President Rajapaksa when Colombo had seemed distinctly warmer to China and Pakistan than to its closest neighbor. India was evidently not displeased with the change of government, and President Rajapaksa even darkly hinted at an Indian hand in his defeat, an accusation New Delhi strenuously denies. At the same time, it is clear that Sri Lanka is inescapably important for India; domestic troubles there involving the country's Tamil minority inevitably spill across the straits to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, while a hostile government in Colombo exposes India's soft underbelly to exploitation by its strategic rivals, notably China and Pakistan. In addition, more Indian goods are transshipped through Colombo than Indian ports, and trade and investment between the two countries has been burgeoning. With New Delhi rightly emphasizing the cultivation of friendly relations with all its neighbors, Sri Lanka is a poster child for the new approach.

India has also been noticeably more willing to embrace its security responsibilities in the Indian Ocean, sending its ships regularly across the waters, patrolling off Mozambique's coast at the request of Maputo during a time of tension, and involving itself in the region's anti-piracy efforts. The highly competent Indian Navy is, however, saddled with an aging, under-equipped fleet and remains some way short of becoming a true blue-water navy. While it works to build up its maritime capacity, New Delhi has conducted naval exercises with several bilateral and multilateral partners in the Indian Ocean and brought together interested naval chiefs in an Indian Ocean Naval Symposium that has established itself as a "must attend" on the military seminar calendar.

India has also been an animating spirit behind efforts to revive the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which brings together 20 countries straddling three continents thousands of miles apart, united solely by their sharing of a common body of water. The association manages to unite Australia and Iran, Singapore and India, Madagascar and the United Arab Emirates and some dozen other states large and small -- unlikely partners brought together by the fact that the Indian Ocean washes their shores. The Indian Ocean serves as both a sea separating them and a bridge linking them together.

"The brotherhood of man is a tired cliché; the neighborhood of an ocean is a refreshing new idea."

This has arguably never been more needed, since India needs multipliers for its strategic efforts if it is to keep up with China -- which has been assiduous in cultivating Indian Ocean countries through Beijing's unrivaled talent for building major infrastructure projects across the region, especially ports, from Sri Lanka's Hambantota to Pakistan's Gwadar. China's talk of a new "Maritime Silk Road" is anchored in history: the ancient Maritime Silk Road of the 15th century started from Southeast China and traversed the South China Sea, through the Straits of Malacca, to Sri Lanka and India, then crossing the Arabian Sea to reach the Gulf countries and East Africa.

But its revival is very much a facet of contemporary Chinese foreign policy: President Xi Jinping addressed the Indonesian Parliament and called for the re-establishment of the old sea networks -- a 21st century "Maritime Silk Road" to jointly foster maritime cooperation, international connectivity, scientific and environmental research, and fishery activities. China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang repeated this call at the APEC and East Asian summits. But there are historically well-founded apprehensions in the region that the new silk routes will also mark a major step towards recreating the Chinese world order of the ancient times known as tianxia, which referred to all regions of the known world that acknowledged the suzerainty of the Chinese Son of Heaven.

China's ambitions in the South China Sea have extended well into the Indian Ocean, and the prospect of an emerging superpower casting its shadow has roused anxiety in a number of littoral states, which look to India as an alternative security provider. So far India -- which has long been known for being better at projecting soft power in the region than exercising hard power -- has been found wanting, leading some observers to suggest that the country was gradually being strangled by a Chinese "string of pearls" around its oceanic neck. New Delhi has now woken up to the danger of being outrun in its own neighborhood, and Prime Minister Modi's trip is evidence that its awakening is being translated into action.

The brotherhood of man is a tired cliché; the neighborhood of an ocean is a refreshing new idea. India is genuinely paying attention now to all its neighbors, and Modi's travels lead to the hope that its voice will be heard above the roar of a mighty ocean.

Modi's Indian Ocean Tour Shows That India's Watching China�|�Shashi Tharoor

This aspect is most important

In recent years, under Modi's immediate predecessor Manmohan Singh, this had begun to change. His trip now sets the seal on a dramatic reorientation of Indian strategic thinking.

and this aspect of increasing the strategic reach

India has also been noticeably more willing to embrace its security responsibilities in the Indian Ocean, sending its ships regularly across the waters, patrolling off Mozambique's coast at the request of Maputo during a time of tension, and involving itself in the region's anti-piracy efforts.

This is a good initiative, which China would, without reason, be irked about

India has also been an animating spirit behind efforts to revive the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which brings together 20 countries straddling three continents thousands of miles apart, united solely by their sharing of a common body of water. The association manages to unite Australia and Iran, Singapore and India, Madagascar and the United Arab Emirates and some dozen other states large and small -- unlikely partners brought together by the fact that the Indian Ocean washes their shores. The Indian Ocean serves as both a sea separating them and a bridge linking them together.

This is where the crux lies

So far India -- which has long been known for being better at projecting soft power in the region than exercising hard power -- has been found wanting, leading some observers to suggest that the country was gradually being strangled by a Chinese "string of pearls" around its oceanic neck. New Delhi has now woken up to the danger of being outrun in its own neighborhood, and Prime Minister Modi's trip is evidence that its awakening is being translated into action.

And most surprising is that this article is by
Shashi Tharoor
Former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs; Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs

Modi is indeed a man of vision.

 

[cobra commando]

Re: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prepares for an Indian Ocean T

Text of the PM’s Remarks on the Commissioning of Coast Ship Barracuda | Home | www.narendramodi.in

 

[Rowdy]

Re: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prepares for an Indian Ocean T

This aspect is most important


and this aspect of increasing the strategic reach


This is a good initiative, which China would, without reason, be irked about


This is where the crux lies


And most surprising is that this article is by
Shashi Tharoor
Former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs; Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs

Modi is indeed a man of vision.

Tharoor
he better behave