⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the High-level Open Debate on ‘Enhancing Maritime Security – A Case for International Cooperation’ on 9th August 2021. Shri Narendra Modi, became the first Indian Prime Minister to preside over a UN Security Council Open Debate.
Participants:
The meeting was attended by several Heads of State & Government of member states of the United Nations Security Council, and high level briefers from the UN System and key Regional Organizations.
Focus:
The Open Debate was focused on ways to effectively counter maritime crime and insecurity and strengthened coordination in the maritime domain.
The UN Security Council has discussed and passed resolutions on different aspects of maritime security and maritime crime. However, this was the first time that maritime security was discussed in a holistic manner as an exclusive agenda item in such a high level open debate.
PM’s remarks at the UNSC High-Level Open Debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security: A Case For International Cooperation”:
To structure this brainstorming, the Prime Minister gave the five basic principles:
First principle: we must remove barriers from legitimate maritime trade.
Second principle: The settlement of maritime disputes must be peaceful and on the basis of international law only.
Third principle: We must face natural disasters and maritime threats created by Non-state actors together.
Fourth principle: We have to preserve the maritime environment and maritime resources.
Fifth Principle: We must encourage responsible maritime connectivity.