India Hosts East Asia Summit Maritime Security Conference In Chennai To Bolster Regional Cooperation

India recently hosted the fourth edition of the East Asia Summit (EAS) Maritime Security Conference in Chennai in March 2020. This annual event, organized by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with Australia and Indonesia, serves as a high-level platform for dialogue among regional leaders on maritime security issues. The conference aims to foster cooperation among the 18 EAS member countries—comprising all ASEAN nations, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Russia, and India itself—to address shared maritime challenges such as territorial disputes, piracy, freedom of navigation, and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. This initiative underscores India’s active engagement in regional security diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of multilateral cooperation in ensuring stability in vital maritime corridors amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The event’s timing and focus reflect the growing recognition of maritime security as a cornerstone of regional stability, particularly amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea, increasing piracy incidents, and the strategic ambitions of major powers. The conference also highlights India’s broader ‘Act East’ policy, which aims to deepen engagement with Southeast Asian nations and reinforce its leadership role in shaping regional security frameworks. The gathering brought together key stakeholders from across the Indo-Pacific, signaling a collective effort to address maritime risks through dialogue, coordination, and the development of joint strategies. The conference’s outcomes are expected to include enhanced trust, shared intelligence, and the potential initiation of cooperative maritime security initiatives.

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Introduction: The Strategic Significance of the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain

The Indo-Pacific region, stretching from the eastern shores of Africa to the western Pacific Ocean, has become the epicenter of global geopolitical shifts and strategic competition. Its maritime domain, accounting for over 80% of the world’s trade volume and nearly half of the global GDP, is crucial for economic stability and security. The region faces a complex array of challenges including territorial disputes, illegal fishing, piracy, environmental concerns, and strategic rivalries among major powers such as China, the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. These circumstances necessitate robust multilateral cooperation, dialogue, and coordinated security measures.

India’s rise as a regional power and its strategic posture—articulated through doctrines such as the ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ policies—have positioned it as a key stakeholder in shaping maritime security architecture. Hosting the EAS Maritime Security Conference in Chennai is part of India’s broader diplomatic efforts to assert leadership and promote regional stability by fostering multilateral dialogue and cooperative initiatives.

Formation and Evolution

The East Asia Summit was established in 2005, initially as a forum to facilitate dialogue among East Asian countries, ASEAN, and key regional and extraregional partners. Its creation responded to the rising importance of regional economic integration and security cooperation, especially in the context of China’s rapid rise and the increasing complexity of regional security concerns.

Over time, the EAS’s scope has expanded from economic cooperation to encompass political and security issues, including maritime security, counter-terrorism, disaster management, and non-proliferation. It functions primarily as a leader-led forum, emphasizing dialogue rather than binding commitments, which enables flexible engagement among diverse member states with varying strategic interests.

Membership and Role

The 18 member countries include all ten ASEAN members, alongside Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United States, and Russia. This diverse membership reflects a wide spectrum of strategic interests, political systems, and regional influence. The EAS serves as an influential platform for articulating shared concerns, managing differences, and fostering confidence-building measures, particularly in the sensitive maritime domain.

Key Objectives

• Promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific
• Facilitate dialogue on regional security challenges
• Encourage confidence-building and cooperation among member states
• Develop common approaches to transnational issues such as piracy, illegal fishing, and environmental degradation

Historical Background

India’s engagement with regional maritime issues has deep roots, dating back to its independence and the subsequent development of its naval capabilities. Its strategic doctrine emphasizes protecting its maritime trade routes, asserting sovereignty over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and countering non-traditional security threats like piracy and smuggling.

India’s ‘Look East’ policy, launched in the early 1990s, aimed to strengthen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asian nations, emphasizing regional integration and security cooperation. This evolved into the more proactive ‘Act East’ policy under the Narendra Modi government, which prioritizes regional connectivity, infrastructure development, and maritime security.

Strategic Goals

• Ensuring the free and open Indo-Pacific in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS
• Countering Chinese maritime assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea
• Enhancing regional interoperability via joint exercises, information sharing, and capacity building
• Establishing India as a regional leader in maritime security and diplomacy

Maritime Challenges in the Indo-Pacific

• South China Sea Disputes: Several ASEAN countries, notably Vietnam and the Philippines, have territorial claims contested by China. China's extensive artificial island-building and military presence have raised concerns over freedom of navigation and regional stability.
• Piracy and Illegal Fishing: Critical trade routes are under threat from piracy, especially near the Malacca Strait, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by various nations.
• Maritime Terrorism: The threat of terrorist groups exploiting maritime routes for smuggling or attacks.
• Environmental Concerns: Climate change-induced sea-level rise, pollution, and habitat destruction threaten marine ecosystems and regional livelihoods.

Focus and Participants

The 2020 Chennai conference brought together defense officials, diplomats, naval commanders, and maritime security experts from the EAS member states. Its core objectives were to deepen understanding of regional maritime challenges, foster trust among navies and coast guards, and promote joint initiatives.

Key Topics Discussed

• Enhancing information sharing and surveillance capabilities
• Developing joint maritime exercises and drills
• Addressing illegal fishing and environmental threats
• Strengthening legal frameworks for maritime dispute resolution
• Promoting cooperation in disaster response and humanitarian assistance

Outcomes and Significance

While the conference’s non-binding nature limits immediate enforceability, its significance lies in reinforcing the collective commitment to maritime stability. Expected outcomes include the initiation of cooperative frameworks, expanded trust among navies, and laying the groundwork for future joint operations.

China’s Strategic Behavior

China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and expanding naval presence in the Indo-Pacific are central to regional security dynamics. Its deployment of military assets and construction of artificial islands challenge the legal and strategic norms upheld by other regional actors, including India.

India perceives China’s maritime activities as a strategic challenge, especially considering the 2017 Doklam standoff and ongoing border tensions. The Chennai conference reinforces India’s efforts to counterbalance Chinese influence through multilateral engagement and strengthening regional partnerships.

The Role of the United States and Other Powers

The United States, emphasizing freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) and strategic partnerships, views regional stability as vital for global trade and security. Its participation and support for India’s maritime initiatives reflect a broader Indo-US strategic convergence.

Similarly, Australia’s emphasis on maritime security and its Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with India, Japan, and the US further underscores the importance of regional cooperation to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN and Regional Balance

ASEAN countries, committed to non-alignment and regional consensus, seek to balance China’s assertiveness while safeguarding their sovereignty. The EAS serves as a platform where ASEAN’s interests can be articulated alongside broader regional concerns, ensuring that maritime issues are addressed collectively.

UNCLOS and International Law

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), established in 1982, provides the legal foundation for maritime rights and responsibilities. It defines territorial seas, EEZs, and navigational rights, serving as the basis for resolving disputes and guiding cooperative security measures.

However, China’s ambiguous interpretations and unilateral claims, exemplified by the ‘Nine-Dash Line’, challenge UNCLOS principles. India advocates adherence to international law, promoting dispute resolution based on legal norms.

Confidence-Building Measures

Confidence-building and transparency are essential to prevent miscalculations. This includes joint patrols, communication protocols, and shared maritime domain awareness efforts.

Strengthening Multilateral Security Architectures

India’s hosting of the EAS Maritime Security Conference signals its intent to lead regional efforts. Future initiatives may include establishing a regional maritime information-sharing center, expanding joint patrols, and coordinating responses to maritime emergencies.

Addressing Emerging Threats

Environmental degradation, climate change, and technological advancements (like cyber threats and maritime autonomous systems) pose new challenges requiring adaptive strategies and multilateral cooperation.

Managing Strategic Competition

Balancing China’s influence with the interests of other regional powers while maintaining open lines of communication remains a delicate diplomatic challenge. The EAS and related forums are critical channels for dialogue, de-escalation, and collaborative problem-solving.

Ensuring Inclusivity and Respect for Sovereignty

Building trust among diverse actors, respecting sovereignty, and fostering inclusive cooperation are vital to sustain regional stability. This requires balancing the strategic interests of major powers with the developmental and security needs of smaller states.

Broader Impacts on Indian Foreign Policy

Hosting such high-profile maritime security forums aligns with India’s broader strategic objectives of:

• Enhancing regional influence and diplomatic stature
• Developing a comprehensive security framework in the Indo-Pacific
• Fostering economic integration and connectivity
• Countering strategic encirclement and maintaining strategic autonomy

India’s active engagement in multilateral maritime forums complements its bilateral relationships, including with the US, Japan, Australia, and ASEAN, reinforcing its role as a responsible stakeholder in regional security.

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The Role of Regional Maritime Cooperation in Shaping Indo-Pacific Stability

The Chennai conference exemplifies the evolving paradigm of regional maritime cooperation, shifting from traditional power projection to multilateral partnership-building. It underscores the recognition among Indo-Pacific nations that maritime security is a collective concern requiring shared responsibility, intelligence sharing, and joint operational capabilities.

By facilitating open dialogue, India aims to foster trust, reduce misunderstandings, and build a resilient security architecture capable of addressing both traditional and non-traditional threats. Such initiatives are instrumental in establishing norms of conduct, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and promoting stability in a region characterized by complex geopolitical contests.

Conclusion: Navigating Future Maritime Challenges

As maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific intensify, India’s leadership role in hosting forums like the EAS Maritime Security Conference will be pivotal. The conference not only reinforces India’s strategic vision but also signals a collective aspiration among regional powers to sustain peace, security, and prosperity in an increasingly interconnected and contested maritime space.

The success of these multilateral efforts depends on sustained political will, adherence to international law, and the development of inclusive, trust-based mechanisms. Moving forward, regional maritime cooperation must evolve to address emerging threats, technological transformations, and environmental challenges, ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains a zone of stability and opportunity for all stakeholders.