By Shibankita Pradhan
The month of November unfurled itself interweaving the pride of a cherished past and the vision of a promising future. As the celebration lights of Cuttack’s Balijatra dimmed with the conclusion of the annual festival, the spotlight was shifted to the capital where the stage was set for India to make its pathway toward the aspiration of becoming an oceanic superpower, by hosting the inaugural edition of Sagarmanthan 2024: the great oceanic dialogue, organised by the amalgamated efforts of the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Observers Research Foundation.
Owing to its vast coastline of 7,500 kilometres, the ancient mariners of the land successfully created not only trade links but also cultural connectivity with the Southeast Asian region, which has shaped the dynamics of India’s soft power capabilities today. The architectural wonders like Java's Borobudur and Prambanan temple and Tanah Lot temple in Bali, today stand as the timeless witness of India's ancient glory and seafaring endeavors.
The annual festival of Balijatra ("voyage to Bali") in Odisha, keeps this treasured legacy alive by commemorating the farsightedness of the mariners of the land. This age-old tradition somewhere prepared the foundational ground for setting up India’s current vision of becoming a global maritime superpower by reviving its past potential.
This aspiration got a kick-start by the inaugural edition of Sagarmanthan Dialogue 2024, which aimed to forge strategic cooperation in the key areas of Global Supply Chains, Climate change Maritime Logistics, and Sustainable Growth, thereby positioning India in the epicenter of global maritime governance.
Described as “the platform of churning” by the president of the ORF, Mr. Samir Saran in his opening remarks, the two-day Sagarmanthan dialogue brought together delegates, policymakers, and thinkers of across 60 nations to formulate a well-planned, sustainable, and mutually shared strategy to address the challenges and opportunity in the field of ocean governance and blue economy.
Looking at the picture through the geostrategic lenses, the Dialogue succeeded in finding plausible solutions to the China factor. It can be contemplated that the core goal of discussions was to present India as a reliable alternative to China so that the Chinese dominance over global maritime trade can be countered.
During the sessions, experts and policymakers concluded that India, with its geographical position coupled with rapidly developing infrastructure is a more reliable player in reforming the world's supply chains as opposed to China, whose unethical practices related to the Belt and Road Initiative were subjected to criticism across the globe. The Sagarmala initiative, a key Indian infrastructure project, caters to this by focusing on increasing global connectivity in the sea trade routes and reducing the reliance of those routes on China.
The dialogue has further underlined India's approach towards building geopolitical partnerships, mainly in the Indo-Pacific region. Opportunities for the future can be created by aligning with the Quad nations and by promoting regional collaborations through initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
Moreover, the concept of democracies "ruling the waves" can particularly gain momentum in this respect as they are guided by the principles of equitable and sustainable global order. Democracies are more likely to promote the notion of freedom of navigation and free trade routes as emphasized in the United Nations Convention on Laws Of Sea. Unlike China's unilaterally imposed approach on the South China Sea, India's approach revolves around the notions of "Viswamaitri" and “Vasudhaiwa Kutumbakam” with promises of inclusivity and cooperation between likeminded nations in order to achieve a balanced maritime governance.
The Sagarmanthan dialogue marked an iconic milestone as it drew global attention to its position as the most influential maritime thought leadership platform in South Asia. It brought a plethora of valuable insights for Indian policymakers to realize that the vision put forward through the Sagarmanthan needs a constant and rigorous plan of action. This takes the Indian maritime journey to a crossroads now. This is a nation with an ancient oceanic trading legacy and the distinction of having an ocean name after it, yet, it does not seem to have found its position among the contemporary maritime leaderships. The country’s economy accounts for 8 percent of the global GDP, but is starkly contrasted with only a paltry 1.2 percent of share in global shipping capacity and has to rely heavily on foreign vessels to transport 95 percent of nation’s traded merchandise.
However, India inherits all the potential and expertise to transform the current scenario. From building nuclear submarines to aircraft carriers, it has all the capabilities to bridge this gap. The country's brimming young population can be a valuable asset in shipbuilding foremanship. Almost 20% of the Indian youth are following their profession in sailing activities. Along with that, the current government is committed to policy reforms by granting ship infrastructure status for long-term financing and amending the SARFAESI Act to allow ships as collateral. Increased research around oceans, enhanced commercial shipping capacity, and a strong naval power, are the three focus areas that can act as catalysts for India's march toward being an oceanic powerhouse.
Towards the end of the dialogue, Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, drawing inspirations from Balijatra, linked India's ancient maritime power with its modern potential. "If we once dominated the oceans through commerce and culture, there is no reason we cannot do so again," Sanyal remarked. The echoes of Balijatra, symbolizing centuries of maritime excellence, resonated deeply throughout the Sagarmanthan. It was a powerful reminder that the strength of India lies in fusing its legacy with the ambition of its future. The tradition of toy boat sailing on Boita Bandana on the day of Kartika Purnima carries aspirations for a future where the maritime spirit of India will lead the world, sailing through the challenges, and uniting tradition and ambition to steer mankind toward a brighter, more sustainable horizon.
This is an Original Contribution to the SIS Blog.
Shibankita Pradhan is a postgraduate student of Politics with specialization in International Relations (PISM) at the School of International Studies, JNU. Her academic pursuits are centered around research and writing on pressing political issues and global dynamics and transitions.