The Future of Indian Diplomacy is Blue
By Dr. Mary Papaschinopoulou*
1. The preponderance of India’s Blue Economy in the 21st century.
The inherent complexity of the maritime business environment has been exacerbated by the challenges posed by global tensions and geopolitical events, which have resulted in significant economic risks for maritime stakeholders internationally. Conversely, the advent of the Blue Economy has led to the emergence of novel opportunities and a substantial realignment of global economic interests.
The Blue Economy, which is valued at over $1.5 trillion annually on a global scale and is expected to double by 2030, encompasses a wide range of economic activities related to the sustainable use of marine resources. These activities include, but are not limited to, the management of living and non-living marine resources, the development of marine renewable energy, the operation of ports, the construction of ships, the dismantling of ships, the facilitation of maritime transport, the promotion of coastal tourism, the development of infrastructure, the use of robotics, the desalination of water, and the establishment of maritime defense.
India stands as a nation with a coastline spanning approximately 7,517 kilometers, the longest in the Indian Ocean, and is strategically positioned with numerous major ports and along major shipping lanes. This advantageous position in the global maritime sector is pivotal for India to capitalize on its maritime potential, propel economic growth and resilience, and safeguard the health, sustainability, and national security of the oceans.
While the significance of the Blue Economy has been acknowledged by numerous maritime nations and regional blocs, few have effectively implemented initiatives to advance this agenda. India, however, is a notable exception, with its ambitious “Comprehensive Maritime India Vision 2030” encompassing over 150 initiatives aimed at fortifying the maritime sector. The Blue Economy 2.0 Programme, a current initiative, reinforces India’s dedication to sustainable maritime advancement, thereby positioning it as a prominent figure in the global maritime landscape.
2. The intricate link between Blue Economy and Blue Economic Diplomacy
It is evident that a comprehensive maritime vision of this magnitude and complexity, is also intricately linked to a strategic “Blue Diplomacy”, firmly supported by India’s proficient diplomatic community.
Blue Diplomacy, in its traditional form, entails international cooperation, negotiation, and consensus-building among governments on ocean-related matters, promoting sustainability and conservation.
However, the growing importance of the maritime sector and its commercial stakeholders is progressively encouraging diplomats worldwide to adopt Blue Economic Diplomacy, a strategy that directly supports the contemporary marine and maritime business environment and its demands.
Senior civil servants and diplomats within the Indian Foreign Ministry, embassies worldwide, and international organizations are adept at building and managing influence through soft power, leveraging interests, fostering relationships, and the strategic adoption of co-optation over coercion. They can leverage Blue Economic Diplomacy to foster collaboration with the international community, thereby attracting investment in the blue economy, reducing costs of commercial disputes through amicable dispute resolution, enhancing the Indian maritime sectors’ reputation, demonstrating its resilience and effectiveness, and opening new markets. Concurrently, the Foreign Ministry and its diplomats are advancing the national goal of promoting blue growth around the globe.
Taking as an example the global shipping sector, the beneficiaries of Blue Economic Diplomacy activities include a wide range of stakeholders, including shipowners, P&I Clubs, classification societies, shipyards and shipbreakers, ports, charterers and traders, brokers and agents along the entire logistics chain. To benefit their shipping sector, Indian Foreign Ministry officers and diplomats can undertake the following initiatives:
-Facilitate the resolution of disputes between domestic and foreign public and commercial stakeholders with prudence and tact.
-Assist in negotiations across cultures to develop new markets for their maritime stakeholders.
-Anticipate potential threats, implement risk mitigation strategies, and adeptly manage conflict within the global maritime domain.
-Provide competitive intelligence to maritime stakeholders for the promotion of investment and employment.
-Protect India’s maritime sector’s image, reputation, and global attractiveness.
3. Conclusion and Recommendations
India is uniquely positioned to take advantage of its extensive coastline and strategic maritime location to harness the burgeoning opportunities of the blue economy. India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic community can play a significant role in this effort.
-Establishing a Maritime Affairs Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the strategic deployment of diplomats with specialized skills and expertise in maritime affairs at key international missions, is paramount.
-Elaborating a contemporary Blue Economic Diplomacy that caters to the requirements of both the public sector and the expanding Indian maritime industry is also crucial.
-Moreover, there is an imperative for the education and training of diplomatic personnel, senior officers, and policymakers to enhance their competencies in Blue Economic Diplomacy.
The future of diplomacy is blue – India’s diplomatic community is poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s standing in the global maritime arena.
The author, Dr. Mary Papaschinopoulou, is a founding partner and managing director of MARDIPLO S.A., a global pioneer in Maritime Economic Diplomacy.
The areas of expertise of MARDIPLO include the negotiation of commercial maritime disputes between the public and private sectors on a global scale, the provision of advisory services to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs on the design of Blue Economic Diplomacy, and the delivery of exclusive Blue Diplomacy training programs for diplomats and government officials.
