Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman set the tone for the Indo-Pacific Maritime Dialogue by highlighting India’s role in the maritime domain of an increasingly contested world. She stressed that a rule-based order is essential underlining Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s concept of SAGAR, ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Indo-Pacific Maritime Dialogue

The defence minister’s address at the two-day event organised by the Indian Navy and the National Maritime Foundation focused on India’s commitment to a rule-based multilateral order. “We are not an Indian Ocean player alone (sic), we are talking of Indo-Pacific. India has captured its critical position in the global domain,” she said. “Merchandise interest will be safeguarded only when your maritime interests are protected”. The minister pointed out the importance of freedom of navigation and opined that forming alliances can help in rationalising costs of military preparedness, especially in the maritime domain. “Freedom of navigation cannot be unilaterally or arbitrarily questioned by any one country, regional power or group,” she said referring to the elephant in the room, China, without naming it.