India Urged to Strengthen Cooperation for Maritime Surveillance in Indian Ocean Region

India has been advised to enhance collaboration with coastal nations to ensure continuous surveillance in the vast Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through frameworks like the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). It is emphasized that littoral countries in the IOR should move beyond traditional security cooperation to establish a unified framework for protecting the shared maritime space, especially in light of potential conflicts like the recent US–Iran tensions.
The report underlines that India, as the most advanced military power in the region, should lead efforts in coordinated surveillance, given that maritime activities transcend geographical boundaries. It also notes the energy insecurity resulting from the US-Israel conflict with Iran, impacting not only immediate neighbors but also regions far beyond the conflict zone.
Highlighting the implications of being embroiled in nearby conflicts, the report cites incidents such as the US sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka and the reported missile launch towards the UK-US base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. These events underscore the necessity for regional security mechanisms among littoral states in the IOR to address crises collectively and effectively.