By N. C. Bipindra

New Delhi: The resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and escalating tensions in West Asia demonstrate the vulnerability of global shipping lanes to attacks by non-state actors, Indian Navy’s Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti warned the world’s sea-faring nations.

With a strong call for global maritime collaboration, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti opened the third edition of the Maritime Information Sharing Workshop (MISW) hosted by the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) on Nov. 3, 2025.

Addressing representatives from 29 countries and regional organisations, including BIMSTEC, DCOC-JA, and IORA, the Vice Admiral underscored the growing urgency for international cooperation to ensure maritime safety, security, and stability across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The Vice Admiral highlighted that the Indian Ocean, a lifeline of global trade and energy supplies, faces increasing threats, from piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing to environmental degradation and hybrid maritime security challenges.

“The Indian Ocean is a shared space for us all — a maritime family bound by common challenges and collective aspirations,” Sobti said, invoking the Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family). He added that global cooperation was not just a strategic imperative but a moral responsibility to safeguard shared prosperity.

Evolving Threats in the Indian Ocean

Recent security developments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including disruptions to commercial shipping and re-routing of vessels, have caused cascading effects on maritime trade, leading to cargo delays and increased risks of weather-related incidents.

Sobti said these developments highlight the interconnected nature of global maritime challenges and the necessity of coordinated, real-time information sharing among nations.

He noted that maritime security is not confined to traditional naval operations but increasingly involves combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, human trafficking, and smuggling networks that exploit maritime routes. “These disruptions,” he warned, “require adaptive strategies, predictive analysis, and a united response framework.”

IFC-IOR: A Hub for Maritime Domain Awareness

Established in 2018, the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region has emerged as a leading platform for maritime domain awareness, connecting 15 liaison officers from partner nations and maintaining linkages with over 75 maritime agencies and international fusion centres.

The IFC-IOR has facilitated coordinated responses to piracy, search and rescue operations, and other maritime safety incidents — contributions that have earned global recognition.

Through regular Maritime Security Updates and Analytical Assessments, the Centre has strengthened situational awareness and fostered trust among regional stakeholders. Sobti emphasised that these achievements were “collective milestones” reflecting confidence, cooperation, and transparency.

India’s Vision: MAHASAGAR

Reiterating India’s commitment to regional security, Vice Admiral Sobti referred to the Indian Navy’s strategic vision, Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had coined in Mar. 2025.

The initiative encapsulates India’s belief that national prosperity is intrinsically tied to maritime stability and advocates for inclusive development through shared security frameworks.

“Our approach to maritime security is shaped by both strategic necessity and cooperative intent,” he said, adding that India’s partnerships with BIMSTEC, IORA, and DCOC-JA represent the backbone of this regional vision.

“India, as a founder member of both BIMSTEC and DCOC-JA construct, continues to play an active role in fostering regional collaboration, promoting the Blue Economy, and ensuring a peaceful and secure maritime domain across the Indian Ocean,” he added.

Enhancing Collaboration Through Dialogue and Technology

The Vice Admiral highlighted that while technology enables virtual coordination, in-person workshops like MISW remain vital for building trust, interoperability, and understanding among nations.

He urged participants to engage actively in the upcoming table-top exercises using India’s indigenously developed MANTRA software, designed to simulate real-world maritime scenarios and test coordinated response strategies.

“These interactions go beyond technology. They build confidence, foster understanding, and promote a shared sense of responsibility,” Sobti said.

He concluded by inviting international delegates to explore New Delhi’s cultural and historical richness, describing it as the ideal setting for strengthening professional and personal ties among maritime partners.

The Maritime Information Sharing Workshop 2025 marks another step in India’s ongoing effort to promote collective maritime security, blue economy growth, and regional resilience in the Indian Ocean, an increasingly vital yet vulnerable global commons.

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