Date : 30/11/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 2 – International Relations

Keywords: Global South, Gray-zone Warfare,

Context-

Maritime security in the Global South is undergoing a transformative phase, marked by the emergence of unconventional threats and the need for adaptive strategies. In the face of evolving challenges, including asymmetrical tactics, gray-zone warfare, and environmental concerns, the ability of nations to resiliently adapt becomes crucial. This article explores the multifaceted nature of maritime security challenges in the Global South, with a focus on the demands posed by non-traditional threats such as illegal fishing, natural disasters, marine pollution, human and drug trafficking, and the impact of climate change.

New Threats in the Maritime Domain:

Recent years have witnessed a shift in the paradigm of maritime security, with nations employing novel tactics in response to emerging challenges. Examples include Ukraine's use of asymmetrical tactics against Russia in the Black Sea and China's deployment of maritime militias in the South China Sea. Gray-zone warfare, land attack missiles, and combat drones are becoming integral elements of maritime strategies. However, the bulk of the demand for maritime security stems from states facing unconventional threats that require more than military solutions. Issues like illegal fishing, natural disasters, marine pollution, and the consequences of climate change necessitate sustained commitment of resources, capital, and specialized personnel.

Global South's Maritime Security Concerns:

Throughout its G20 presidency, India has sought to highlight the concerns of the Global South in maritime discussions. However, there is a prevailing perception that the zero-sum competition among powerful nations in the Indo-Pacific has marginalized the developing world. The security agenda has evolved into an interconnected set of objectives, encompassing national, environmental, economic, and human security goals. Littoral states in Asia, Africa, and the Southern Pacific face challenges in achieving marine governance objectives, exacerbated by the disproportionate impact of rising sea levels, marine pollution, and natural disasters on less developed states, rendering them vulnerable.

Challenges of Coordination and Cooperation:

Littoral states in Asia and Africa exhibit unequal law-enforcement capabilities and a lack of security coordination to combat maritime threats collectively. Varying security priorities and resistance to maritime cooperation with foreign agencies hinder the development of cohesive strategies against piracy, armed robbery, and maritime terrorism. Despite a willingness to share information with partner states, there is often a reluctance to fully leverage partner capabilities.

Creative Models for Maritime Security:

Recognizing that maritime security extends beyond military actions, India's Maritime Vision 2030 presents a creative model for the maritime sector's development. This blueprint emphasizes the growth and livelihood generation potential of ports, shipping, and inland waterways. Dhaka's Indo-Pacific document adopts a developmental approach, focusing on the provisioning of goods and services and the protection of marine resources. The concept of a thriving Blue Economy is gaining traction in Africa, emphasizing both economic prosperity and a secure maritime domain.

Illegal Fishing as a Maritime Challenge:

Despite the promising models, significant challenges persist, particularly in the fight against illegal fishing in Asia and Africa. The surge in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is attributed to flawed policies that encourage destructive fishing methods. Lenient regulations, lax law enforcement, and the impact of subsidies on fishing practices contribute to this issue. An examination of proposals, such as India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, reveals a recognition of the need for collective solutions to shared problems, supported by major Indo-Pacific states.

Obstacles to Collaborative Strategies:

While initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative garner support, implementing collaborative strategies faces challenges. Maritime agencies must enhance interoperability, share intelligence, and agree on a regional rules-based order. The reluctance of many littoral states to pursue concrete solutions underscores a paradox in non-traditional maritime security—the collective issues and creative solutions sought by developing nations conflict with their emphasis on political and strategic autonomy.

Significance of the Global South Today:

Economic and Political Power Dynamics:
Recent decades have witnessed a noteworthy redistribution of wealth and political prominence in the Global South. The World Bank recognizes a substantial "wealth shift" from the North Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific region, challenging traditional perceptions of economic power distribution.
Projections indicate that by 2030, three of the four largest economies globally will be from the Global South, notably led by China and India.

The combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) already surpasses that of the G-7 nations. Furthermore, influential political figures from the Global South, such as China, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil, are increasingly shaping global affairs.

Geopolitical Implications:
– The rising economic and political clout of the Global South holds significant ramifications for global geopolitics.
– Asian nations are anticipated to play a pivotal role in what experts term the "Asian Century."
– Moreover, there is discourse surrounding a "post-Western world" as the influence of the Global South challenges the historical dominance of the Global North.
These transformations underscore the growing assertiveness and impact of the Global South on the global stage.

The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative:

India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, with its seven pillars including maritime ecology, marine resources, capacity building, disaster risk reduction, and maritime connectivity, acknowledges the economic interdependence of countries. However, achieving a collaborative strategy requires a paradigm shift in maritime agencies towards integrated security operations and regulatory frameworks aligned with international law. Many states prioritize sovereignty and strategic independence over collective action, presenting a stumbling block to consensus in the Global South.

The Paradox of Non-Traditional Maritime Security:

The lack of consensus in the Global South reveals a paradox in non-traditional maritime security. While developing nations collectively face maritime challenges and seek creative solutions, their commitment to political and strategic autonomy often hinders concrete cooperation. The interconnected nature of these challenges, spanning national, environmental, economic, and human security goals, requires a more integrated and collaborative approach, which remains elusive.

Conclusion:

The evolving landscape of maritime security in the Global South demands a comprehensive and adaptable approach. The challenges posed by non-traditional threats necessitate collaboration, coordination, and creative models that extend beyond military solutions. Initiatives such as India's Maritime Vision 2030 and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative provide promising frameworks, but the road to consensus remains fraught with obstacles. The paradox of non-traditional maritime security lies in the tension between collective challenges and the preservation of political and strategic autonomy. As the maritime domain continues to be shaped by emerging threats, the Global South must navigate this complex landscape with resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to shared solutions.

Source- The Hindu