Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)

Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)
Name	Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)
Founded	2015
Founder	Narendra Modi
Region	Indian Ocean
Type	Policy Initiative

Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) is an Indian strategic initiative articulated in 2015 that frames New Delhi's approach to maritime engagement across the Indian Ocean littoral. It emphasizes cooperative maritime security and sustainable development with partner states such as Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia. The initiative intersects with regional architectures including the Indian Ocean Rim Association, BIMSTEC, and multilateral forums like the United Nations.

Background and Origins

SAGAR was announced by Narendra Modi in 2015 during outreach to Indian Ocean states, drawing upon precedents such as Look East Policy, Act East Policy, and the historical legacy of Indian Navy deployments and INS Airavat humanitarian missions. Influences include the strategic debates seen in analyses by Amitabh Mattoo, C. Raja Mohan, and reports from the Observer Research Foundation and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The formulation responded to contemporaneous developments involving People's Republic of China initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and port projects at Hambantota Port, Gwadar, and Chabahar Port, as well as to incidents such as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami humanitarian responses and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami relief operations.

Policy Objectives and Principles

SAGAR articulates principles of cooperation found in diplomatic statements alongside instruments like SLOC security dialogues and regional commitments comparable to the mandates of the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Core objectives invoke partnerships with states including Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, and Kenya to enhance maritime domain awareness and resilience against threats identified by analysts at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Chatham House, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Policy pronouncements reference norms promoted by leaders such as Shinzo Abe in bilateral contexts, and align operationally with platforms like Indian Coast Guard cooperation and National Disaster Response Force engagements.

Maritime and Regional Initiatives

Operational activities under SAGAR encompass asset deployments exemplified by INS Kolkata, INS Vikramaditya, and INS Arihant patrols, collaborative exercises such as MALABAR, MILAN, and Varuna, and infrastructure projects echoing partnerships with Adani Ports, Cochin Shipyard, and port authorities in Colombo Port. Initiatives include technical aid in hydrography with institutions like the National Hydrographic Office and capacity building through Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation and Indian Council of World Affairs dialogues. Engagements extend to maritime collaborative mechanisms including the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region and bilateral arrangements with navies of France, United Kingdom, United States, and Japan.

Defence and Security Cooperation

SAGAR fosters defence ties manifested in agreements with the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and partner services such as the Royal Navy of Oman, Mauritian Coast Guard, Seychelles People's Defence Force, Sri Lanka Navy, Bangladesh Navy, and Maldivian National Defence Force. Cooperation spans joint patrols, logistics support, training at institutions like the Naval War College (United States), National Defence College (India), and defence exports through entities such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited. The initiative interfaces with security dialogues like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and strategic conversations involving ASEAN, SAARC, and the African Union.

Economic and Development Programs

SAGAR's development facet finances and supports port upgrades, coastal infrastructure, blue economy projects, and disaster preparedness initiatives with partners including World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and bilateral agencies like Japan International Cooperation Agency and United States Agency for International Development. Projects tie into regional transport corridors involving Chennai Port, Kandla Port, Visakhapatnam, and international links to Djibouti, Mombasa, and Port Louis. Programs emphasize renewable energy collaborations with firms such as ReNew Power and research cooperation with universities including Indian Institute of Technology Madras, National University of Singapore, and University of Mauritius.

International Reception and Impact

Responses to SAGAR vary across capitals: supporters in Mauritius, Seychelles, and Maldives highlight enhanced disaster relief and infrastructure aid, while analysts in Beijing and at think tanks like Brookings Institution debate strategic competition with China. Multinational partners including France, United States, Japan, and Australia have engaged through joint exercises and diplomatic support, and regional bodies like Indian Ocean Rim Association and BIMSTEC have recognized collaborative dimensions. Empirical outcomes include expanded humanitarian assistance exemplified by operations paralleling Operation Rahat and enhanced surveillance via the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region; critics point to implementation gaps noted by International Crisis Group and calls for greater transparency from institutions such as Transparency International.

Category:Indian foreign policy Category:Indian Ocean