News Highlights:
- The Indian Navy deployed a P8I aircraft to Guam, USA, to participate in the third edition of ‘Exercise Sea Dragon 23’ conducted by the US Navy.
- It is a coordinated multi-lateral Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise for Long Range MR ASW aircraft organised by the US Navy.
Exercise SEA DRAGON 23:
- About:
- The Sea Dragon is an annual, multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise conducted by the United States Navy.
- The annual exercise was launched in 2014.
- This is the third edition of the joint multi-lateral ASW exercise for Long Range MR ASW aircraft.
- The Exercise aims to achieve high levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific.
- The Exercise would witness representation by an Indian Navy P8I aircraft along with other countries’ aircraft.
- This exercise will test the capabilities of participating aircraft in tracking simulated and live underwater targets whilst also sharing mutual expertise.
- Participating Countries:
- The exercise involves the participation of naval forces from multiple countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including India, Japan, Canada, and the Republic of Korea.
- Objective:
- The exercise aims to enhance the collective Anti-Submarine Warfare(ASW) capabilities of the participating navies while also promoting mutual trust and cooperation between friendly nations.
- The scope and complexity of the exercise have increased over the years, reflecting the growing importance of ASW in the Indo-Pacific region.
Indo-Pacific Region:
- About:
- Indo-Pacific is a recent concept. About a decade ago, the world started talking about the Indo-Pacific; its rise has been quite significant.
- One of the reasons behind the popularity of this term is an understanding that the Indian Ocean and the Pacific are linked to strategic theatre.
- Also, the centre of gravity has shifted to Asia. The reason being maritime routes, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific provide the sea lanes. The majority of the world’s trade passes through these oceans.
- Significance:
- The Indo-Pacific region is one of the world’s most populous and economically active regions, including four continents: Asia, Africa, Australia and America.
- The dynamism and vitality of the region are self-evident.
- 60% of the world’s population and 2/3rd of the global economic output makes this region a global economic centre.
- The region is also a great source and destination for Foreign Direct Investment. Many of the world’s critical and large supply chains have an Indo-Pacific connection.
- There are vast reserves of marine resources in the Indian and Pacific Oceans combined, including offshore hydrocarbons, methane hydrates, seabed minerals and rare earth metals.
- Sizable coastlines and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) provide littoral countries with competitive capabilities for exploiting these resources.
- In turn, a number of the world’s largest economies are located in the Indo-Pacific region, including India, the U.S.A., China, Japan, and Australia.
India and Indo-Pacific:
- Peace and Security in the Indian Ocean:
- 90% of India’s trade and its energy supplies are transported via the Indian Ocean, while about 50% of India’s trade is concentrated in the Indo-Pacific region.
- India seeks to guarantee freedom of navigation, protect choke points, end conflicts amicably, and confront unconventional security concerns in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
- Countering China:
- India aspires to reduce the role of China in the region with an inclusive approach with other nations so that Chinese aggressions will take a back stand.
- Geo-Political aspirations
- To expand its own presence in the region, especially in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, and maintain its role as a net security provider.
- Fostering sustainable development
- Climate change will harm India in the future.
- India supports the region’s sustainable development as a result of the growth of the blue economy.
Pic Courtesy: Freepik
Content Source: PIB