USA eyes joint naval exercises to protect Indian Ocean trade

At the second Indian Ocean Conference in Colombo on September 2, 2017, representatives from around 35 countries gathered to discuss maritime security and economic cooperation. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj emphasized that keeping the waters of the Indian Ocean peaceful, stable, and secure is essential if the region’s revitalized maritime economy is to support global economic growth. Swaraj called for the development of a security architecture for collective action to preserve the organic unity of the region and advance cooperation.

The Indian Ocean holds vital strategic importance for India, containing a 2.4 million square kilometer economic zone and serving as the transit route for nearly all of the country’s oil imports. To bolster its maritime presence, India is implementing targeted programs to re-energize economic activity in its coastal areas and islands, including port connectivity efforts through the Sagarmala project. Additionally, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s SAGAR program is designed to build trust among regional nations and establish a coherent framework for economic revival.

During the conference, Swaraj met with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana to discuss key aspects of bilateral cooperation. The event, which highlighted existing Free Trade Agreements with India and Pakistan, was also inaugurated by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Seychelles Vice-President Vincent Meriton, and Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.