Given the nature of the common security and environmental threats facing the oceans, it is clear that individual nations acting in isolation will not be able to effect comprehensive or long lasting solutions. In the present era, the increasing sophistication of criminal networks and non-state actors makes it difficult for individual nations to withstand the threats posed by them if they stand alone. That is why Sri Lanka, as one of the smaller naval powers in the Indian Ocean, hopes to see greater cooperation within the region, stated Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his keynote address at the inaugural session of the Galle Dialogue 2011, the Maritime Symposium held in Galle yesterday (Nov 14).

“In particular, the major powers in the region should work together with all affected nations to ensure that the seas are free of hindrance… It is in everybody's interest to work together to ensure its safety and stability”, he stressed.

He also said, the energy security of many nations also depends on the Indian Ocean, as the fuel requirements of many industrialising nations is met through the energy resources transported through it. For all these reasons and more, the Indian Ocean's importance in the global context is very great. At the same time, it must be noted that the stability and maritime security of Indian Ocean is vulnerable to external threat.

“The most disturbing implication of the Sri Lankan experience is that the brand of arms smuggling undertaken by the LTTE can be replicated by any terrorist organisation anywhere in the world. Far-reaching measures are needed at the highest level to address this threat in a coordinated fashion”, he said. “To combat this threat, it is vital that the maritime powers cooperate by sharing intelligence, and enhance maritime domain awareness through joint and coordinated patrols as well as exercises to enhance interoperability.”

The Defence Secretary also elaborated on other threats that include human trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and marine pollution that require urgent and prompt attention of all maritime powers.

In the mean time, expressing his views, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asian Affairs Robert M. Scher appreciated the leadership role taken by the Government of Sri Lanka on the important issue of maritime security. “The Galle Dialogue provides us with an excellent forum for regional stakeholders to share perspectives, experiences and lessons learned in the maritime domain,” he noted.

We can no longer view the Indian Ocean as a place between important places as we sometimes have in the past. It is a critical nexus that demands renewed attention by global players, he said. “The United States will continue to prioritize efforts to maintain the Sea Lanes of Communication, the free flow of commerce, and freedom of navigation”, he stressed.

“Piracy is one area where multilateral cooperation has been exceptional. As one of the most visible security challenges in the region, and one that directly affects commercial interests, it is also the issue for which there is the most visible international collaborative effort”, he said, speaking on opportunities for cooperation and collaboration.

Natural disasters, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction across the Indian Ocean region, and maritime terrorism are other challenges that require multilateral corporation, he further added.

“We must look at our policies, organizations, and our posture in the region to see if it still serves our interests in the changing environment we see, and we are engaged in these discussions right now”, he said in reference to building corporation in maritime security affairs.

“Today’s dialogue provides us an outstanding forum to develop a common picture and understanding of security concerns in the region, and an opportunity to generate ideas for new ways to address them”, he stated in his concluding remarks.

The International Maritime Security Conference: Galle Dialogue 2011, was held yesterday (Nov 14), at the Light House Hotel, Galle aiming to create a forum to discuss and exchange views on regional maritime security concerns. It was organized by the Sri Lanka Navy under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.