445A. Kupriyanov (a.kupriyanov@imemo.ru),
Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences. 23, Profsoyuznaya Str., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation
Abstract. The article is devoted to the phenomenon of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), the only structure that deals with security issues in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This is a unique organization that originated as a scientific conference and, due to the interaction of scientists, politicians and the Indian Navy, has become a full-fledged format of cooperation between all countries of the IOR. The article describes the backstory of the formation of the organization, the controversy surrounding its creation and problems it faced, as well as the history of its existence. There were several periods in its history: the initial period of high hopes during the presidency of India, stagnation during the presidencies of the UAE and South Africa, the revival during the presidencies of Australia and Bangladesh. The main problems that IONS faces now are highlighted: the absence of China and the United States having interests in the Indian Ocean, the poverty of the participating countries and dependence of the IONS work on the Indian funding, conflicts of the participating countries with each other, lack of readiness to respond quickly to changes in the situation. The author argues that some of these problems are inherent in any semi-formal and informal organization, or determined by the leading role of India in the region, and that, contrary to predictions about the imminent collapse of the IONS, this format is developing very successfully. The article discusses proposals of experts to improve the IONS functioning, some of which are already being implemented. The author believes that it makes sense to transfer the IONS experience to other regions where the development of traditional formats is unprofitable for Russia – such as the North of the Pacific Ocean, the Baltic and the Arctic.
Keywords: IONS, Indian Ocean, security system, India, informal organizations
REFERENCES
1. Vabulas F., Snidal D. Organization without delegation: Informal intergovernmental organizations (IIGOs) and the spectrum of intergovernmental arrangements. The Review of International Organizations, 2013, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 193-220. DOI:10.1007/s11558-012-9161-x
2. Hall R. Empires of the Monsoon: A History of the Indian Ocean and Its Invaders. London, Harper Collins Publishers, 1996. 575 p.
3. Wetherald H. D. Indian Ocean Maritime Security: Challenges and Opportunities. Indian Ocean Challenges: A Quest for Cooperative Solutions. Kaushiva P., Singh A., eds. New Delhi, KW Publishers Pvt Ltd, 2013, pp. 19-31.
4. Kapur L. Security Architecture in the Indian Ocean Region: Way Forward. Strategic Balance in the Indo-Pacific Region: Challenges and Prospects. Rajesh M. H., Kumar Sharma R., eds. New Delhi, Vij Books India Pvt, 2017, pp. 143-153.
5. Freedom to Use the Seas: Iindia’s Maritime Military Strategy. New Delhi, Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence (Navy), 147 p. Available at: http://aldeilis.net/mumbai/1686.pdf (accessed 22.04.2019).
6. Brewster D. India’s Ocean. The story of India’s bid for regional leadership. Abingdon, Routledge, 2014. 228 p.
7. Ghosh P.K. Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). Whither Indian Ocean Maritime Order? Contributions to a Seminar on Narendra Modi’s SAGAR Speech. Kumar Y., ed. New Delhi, KW Publishers Pvt, 2017, pp. 121-133.
8. Raja Mohan C. Modi’s World: Expanding India’s Sphere of Influence. New Delhi, Harper Collins Publishers India, 2015. 229 p.
9. Raja Mohan C. Samudra Manthan: Sino-Indian Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific. New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2013. 329 p.
10. Holmes J.R., Winner A.C., Yoshihara T. Indian Naval Strategy in the Twenty-first Century. Abingdon, Routledge, 2009. 232 p.
11. Winner A. India: Dominance, Balance, or Predominance in the Indian Ocean? Deep Currents and Rising Tides: The Indian Ocean and International Security. Garofano J., Dew A.J., eds. New Delhi, Cambridge University Press India, 2013, pp. 111-135.
12. Ghosh P.K. Evolving Indian Ocean governance architecture: an Indian perspective. Journal of the Indian Ocean Region, 2015, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 236-255. DOI:10.1080/19480881.2015.1077546
13. Kumar Y. Diplomatic Dimensions of Maritime Challenges for India in the 21st Century. New Delhi, Pentagon Press, 2015. 258 p.
14. Upadhyaya S. Maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region: The role of the Indian Navy. Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 173-190. DOI:10.1080/18366503.2014.920945
15. IONS nations moot common military command. Available at: https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2018/nov/14/ions-nations-moot-common-military-command-1897876.html (accessed 22.04.2019).
16. Indian Ocean Naval Symposium. Charter of Business. Version 2.0. Available at: http://www.ions.global/sites/default/files/IONS-Charter-Version-2.0.pdf (accessed 22.04.2019).
17. Scott D. India’s Aspirations and Strategy for the Indian Ocean – Securing the Waves? Journal of Strategic Studies, 2013, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 484-511. DOI:10.1080/01402390.2012.728134
18. Kumar A. Multi-party Democracy in the Maldives and the Emerging Security Environment in the Indian Ocean Region. New Delhi, Pentagon Press, 2016. 192 p.
19. Bateman S. Maritime security governance in the Indian Ocean region. Journal of the Indian Ocean Region, 2016, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 5-23. DOI:10.1080/19480881.2016.1138709
20. Kapur L. Indian Ocean Security Cooperation. The Indo-Pacific Region: Security Dynamics and Challenges. Tewari S., Khanijo R., eds. New Delhi, Vij Books India, 2016, pp. 132-141.
21. Bateman S. The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium – Will the Navies of the Indian Ocean Region Unite? RSIS Commentaries, no. 35/2008. Singapore, RSIS, NTU, March 17, 2008. Available at: https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/1055-the-indian-ocean-naval-symposi/#.XNmDEo4zaUk (accessed 22.04.2019).
22. Wagner C. Security Architecture in the Indian Ocean Region: Way Forward. Strategic Balance in the Indo-Pacific Region: Challenges and Prospects. Rajesh M. H., Sharma R. K., eds. New Delhi, Vij Books India, 2017, pp. 138-144.
23. Upadhyaya S. Multilateral maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region: status and prospects. Journal of the Indian Ocean Region, 2016, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 39-45. DOI:10.1080/19480881.2016.1138712
24. Brewster D. The Indian Ocean Dialogue: a new forum for Indian Ocean maritime security. Journal of the Indian Ocean Region, 2016, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 2-4. DOI:10.1080/19480881.2016.1138715
25. Navy to operate information fusion centre to boost Indian Ocean security. Available at: https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2018/11/13/navy-to-operate-information-fusion-centre-to-boost-indian-ocean-security.html (accessed 22.04.2019).
Registered in System SCIENCE INDEX
No comments