Maritime Theory Approach for Functional Effectiveness in the Indo-Pacific

Odakkal Johnson and Priyanka Choudhury
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Odakkal Johnson: Odakkal Johnson, a maritime professional for 38 years, is a serving officer in the Indian Navy with preliminary experience of Merchant Navy. His PhD thesis (2016) was on “Effective Governance of Multilateral Operations: Implications for Contemporary International Politics†from Department of Civics and Politics, University of Mumbai. He is a Navigation and Aircraft Direction Specialist, an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and of Naval War College. Cmde Johnson is also visiting faculty in Mumbai University, Naval War College, Indian Naval Academy and other premier academic institutions. He has presented a number of papers on International Maritime Theory and India’s Maritime Heritage and an acknowledged resource person in Research Methodology. In addition to his book “Timeless Wake – The Legacy of Royal Indian Navy in World War II†and a compilation, “Essays in Maritime Studies – Vol III,†he is leading major research studies in maritime dimension. At present, Cmde Johnson is the Director & Head of Research, Maritime History Society.
Priyanka Choudhury: Priyanka Choudhury completed her Masters in Politics from the Department of Civics and Politics, University of Mumbai (2019). She also holds Diplomas in Human Rights and Security Studies from University of Mumbai. Her major interests zones are Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region and application of International Relations Theories in the present global scenario. Currently she is an Adjunct Research Associate with the Maritime History Society.

India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, 2020, vol. 76, issue 3, 444-460

Abstract: The Indo-Pacific region is a centre of gravity for the world’s economic, political and strategic interests. It is a home of world’s most densely inhabited states, different forms of governance and includes over half of the world’s population. It is also a theatre of great power politics, competition and rivalry. Piracy in the vital choke points, dispute on the South China Sea and rising China factor in the Indian Ocean are some of the challenges faced in this region. As the maritime domain is unique, cooperation among nations is necessary to ensure peace in the region. Therefore, a maritime theory approach is needed to study good order at sea. Having laid down the emerging mandate of economic interaction across the global, regional and subregional canvas, there is a need for evolving functional mechanisms to ensure interoperability and progressing the overarching mandate. This will further ensure a cooperative solution in the maritime dimension. It also becomes a vital bridge between the apex policymaking and the basic execution of a decisive transaction. The Indo-Pacific region needs mutual cooperation for economic development and threat management. India is rightly positioned to be the facilitator through existing initiatives and harness potential opportunities. This article examines the aspect of functional mechanisms under the maritime theory approach in the Indo-Pacific. Nations can be encouraged to connect through efforts such as Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and Project Mausam to collaborate and bring complementarity. With the region growing significant each day, the development of mutual partnership is of utmost importance. Keeping three principles of workable options, harmonising individual strength and taking all along, the Indo-Pacific nations can build lasting peace and stability in the region.

Keywords: Indo-Pacific; maritime governance; Project Mausam; maritime theory; geopolitics; geoeconomics; geocultural entity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:indqtr:v:76:y:2020:i:3:p:444-460

DOI: 10.1177/0974928420936134

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