India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored the country’s commitment to a secure and resilient maritime environment during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Outreach Session on Maritime Security and Prosperity, held in Niagara, Canada. Addressing partner nations, Jaishankar outlined India’s maritime strategy, emphasizing the MAHASAGAR outlook, Indo-Pacific partnerships, and port-led development as key pillars of its approach.
Jaishankar highlighted India’s focus on modernizing shipping infrastructure and establishing trusted, diversified maritime links to bolster trade corridors. He called for greater international cooperation to safeguard critical maritime and undersea infrastructure, noting that global prosperity depends heavily on free and secure waterways. The minister stressed that resilient ports are essential for advancing shared economic interests.
Expressing concern over persistent maritime threats such as piracy, smuggling, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Jaishankar argued these issues necessitate deeper collaboration among nations. He reiterated India’s role as a “first responder” in the region, committed to strengthening humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts through joint exercises and logistics agreements with Indo-Pacific partners.
Reaffirming India’s dedication to a rules-based maritime order, Jaishankar called for the upholding of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the foundation for global maritime governance. On the sidelines of the event, he also held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, discussing bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
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