New Delhi, Mar 27 (PTI) India has signed White Shipping Information Sharing (WSIE) agreements with five countries in the last five years to enhance maritime domain awareness, the government informed Parliament on Friday.
White shipping information refers to the exchange of information on merchant shipping traffic.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to a query in Lok Sabha, said India has fostered strong bilateral and multilateral partnerships with key partners and like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific and beyond to ensure Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR).
Expanding on this strategic vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the MAHASAGAR doctrine — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — in March 2025 in Mauritius, he said.
“While SAGAR focuses on security and growth within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), MAHASAGAR expands this vision to cover the broader Global South. MAHASAGAR encompasses the ideas of trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, and mutual security for a shared future,” Singh said.
In line with the MAHASAGAR initiative, India “continues its commitment” to the well-being and progress of nations in the region as a first responder and net security provider in the region.
The government is committed to strengthening maritime cooperation in the IOR and beyond, to ensure a favourable and positive maritime environment. India also participates in regional frameworks to promote maritime cooperation and exchanges in the region, Singh said.
“In line with this vision, India has been focusing on development assistance, capacity building initiatives, economic cooperation, connectivity, HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) support and defence and maritime security cooperation, to assist countries in the region on sustainable socio-economic development,” he said.
The Ministry of External Affairs was asked about the steps taken by the government to ensure a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific in strict adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“India consistently maintains that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (UNCLOS) is the legal basis for maritime rights, freedoms and dispute settlement, including in the Indo-Pacific,” Singh said.
India signed the agreement under the UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) on September 25, 2024.
“This reflects India’s commitment to a comprehensive, UNCLOS-consistent ocean governance that extends beyond national jurisdiction to the high seas, which is a concrete step towards a rules-based maritime order, including in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
The MEA was also asked about the details of the recent WSIE agreements signed to enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA) and combat non-traditional threats like piracy and ‘dark shipping’.
“India has signed White Shipping Information Sharing agreements with five countries in the last five years,” he said.
Singh also said the government has not made any formal proposal in respect of a BIMSTEC Blue Economy Partnership Framework.
Asked about the diplomatic measures taken to address the challenges posed by “dual-use” maritime infrastructure being developed by extra-regional powers in India’s extended neighbourhood, he said, “The government continues to carefully monitor any developments having a bearing on India’s security and economic interests, and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them.” PTI KND RHL
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