(August 1-15, 2016)
ASEAN
Exercise Maitree 2016: Joint Indo - Thailand Military Exercise Culminates
The Indo -Thailand Military Exercise ‘MAITREE’ concluded on 30th July 2016 at Krabi, Thailand. The exercise had commenced on 15 July 2016 under the aegis of the Royal Thailand Army. 90 soldiers of Indian Army and Royal Thailand Army participated in the two week long exercise which included combined training, familiarization with weapons & equipment used by both the countries, analyzing groupings, drills and tactics while operating in counter terrorism environment and modalities for conduct of Area Domination operations in urban environment apart from operations like Cordon and Search, raids and Seek and Destroy Missions. The combined training enabled both the armies to evolve common tactical procedures and drills to enhance inter-operability.
Indian Naval Chief visits Indonesia
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lamba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, paid an official visit to Indonesia from 09 – 13 August. The objective of the visit was to consolidate existing Maritime Cooperation initiatives with Indonesia as well as explore new avenues in accordance with India's 'Act East Policy'. India and Indonesia have historical linkages which date back centuries. In the modern era, India and Indonesia have been co-founders of the Non Aligned Movement besides mutually beneficial collaborations in multilateral forums such as, IONS, ARF, ADMM+, G20, WTO etc. Defence co-operation between India and Indonesia is robust and has seen ascendency through regular ships, aircraft and military delegation visits, training exchanges etc. Both countries had also signed the Defence Cooperation Agreement in 2001. Both countries have been conducting Coordinated Patrols along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) since 2002 and 27 editions of coordinated patrols have been completed till date. Both countries had also conducted their first Bilateral Maritime Exercise in Oct 2015.
Counter-terrorism meeting in Bali
In the course of a day long meeting on counter terrorism held at Bali, global leader expressed concern over the rise of Terrorism as a transnational phenomenon The meeting was hosted by Indonesia and jointly organized with Australian Financial Intelligence Agency (AUSTRAC). The meeting attracted significant presence of 140 representatives from 23 countries including USA, Russia, China, India, Singapore, and Malaysia along with international law enforcing agencies of ASEAN, Interpol and the UN. The main focus of the meeting was on terrorism financing. During the meeting best counterterrorism practices were extensively discussed. The results/recommendations of the meeting would be submitted to the UN General Assembly in September 2016. The Bali meeting was based on the outcomes of the first CTF Summit held in Sydney in 2015. The Sydney summit was based on the theme to promote cooperation and collaboration between financial intelligence units (FIUs), particularly in South Asia.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju who represented India at the meeting underscored India’s commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to ensure that the perpetrators of terrorist acts, their masterminds and conspirators are brought to justice. He also emphasized on the zero tolerance policy of India against terrorism and reaffirmed that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. He also highlighted the need to constitute a strong international legal framework and appealed to the international community to expedite the finalization of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the UN umbrella mooted by India as early as 1996. He further emphasized on the need of introducing more effective and transparent procedures under the UNSCR 1267 and a better coherence between various counter-terrorism structures of the UN.
The ASEAN countries mainly Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries agreed to share expertise in the areas of de-radicalisation. The participant states extensively discussed other solutions to fight terrorism, the importance ascribed to biometric data indicates the growing use of biometric security system by governments around the world.
The Objective of CTF Summit 2016, Bali were to provide opportunities for the experts to:-
- Work together to identify and understand the full extent of the threats posed by terrorism financing in our region;
- Collaborate and share financial and other intelligence to identify and counter threats posed by terrorism financing;
- Share effective techniques deployed in relevant jurisdictions to counter terrorist revenue and funding streams entering formal financial markets;
- Leverage public private partnerships in countering the threats of terrorism financing to strengthen financial markets and regional and global security; and
- Maximise the role of technology in identifying and disrupting terrorism financing.
During the summit, the first Regional Risk Assessment on Terrorism Financing was presented. In addition, a framework for collaboration and intelligence sharing on priority risk and threats has also progressed to an advanced development stage.
Foreign Office Consultations and 5th Strategic Dialogue between India and Vietnam
8th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) and 5th Strategic Dialogue between India and Vietnam was held in New Delhi on August 2, 2016. The consultation which was led by Secretary East from Indian Side and Vũ Hồng Nam, Vice Foreign Minister of Vietnam deliberated upon scope and opportunities for bilateral relations including forthcoming high level visits, celebration of 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, cooperation in political and security related matters, trade and investment, cooperation in health, energy and agriculture sector, connectivity, lines of credit and other capacity building projects in Vietnam and increasing people-to-people ties. During the Strategic Dialogue, both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual concern at regional and multilateral level, including cooperation at UN and International Organizations. Both sides also discussed recent developments in the maritime domain and the need for peaceful resolution of all disputes in accordance with accepted principles of international law as reflected notably in the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Vietnamese side reaffirmed its support for India’s candidature for a Permanent seat in an expanded UNSC.
The dialogue stressed the need to foster connectivity in aviation and navigation as well as in digital, information, telecommunication and databases while launching direct flights between the two countries and opening transport routes between sea ports. Vietnam also expressed its confidence about India’s pledge to disburse one billion USD credit package for ASEAN member nations for connectivity project. India confirmed its support for promoting the central role of the bloc in the Asia-Pacific.
ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation Meeting, Vientiane, Laos
The 13th round of ASEAN of consultation concluded on August 06 between India and ASEAN. The ministers from both the sides agreed to push the implementation of agreements on investment, trade and services towards lifting ASEAN-India ties to a strategic partnership. India acknowledged in appreciation the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community late last year, with an assurance that it will boost the bloc’s connectivity and cooperation, make it a dynamic and highly competitive region by 2025. Participants hailed the robust bilateral trade exchange in 2015, reaching 58.7 billion USD, accounting for 2.6 percent of ASEAN’s total trade value and making India the bloc’s sixth largest trade partner. India is also the eighth largest investor in ASEAN, with total investment of 1.3 billion USD. The discussion was focused on various initiatives to accelerate the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods (AITIG) Agreement in line with the schedule reached during the 12th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in August last year.
Indonesia to Start Joint Sea Patrols with Malaysia, Philippines
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines signed a document on standard operating procedures (SOP) for trilateral maritime cooperation, marking the official start of coordinated joint sea patrols to secure the regional waters. On the occasion, Indonesian Defense Minister suggested that Malaysia and the Philippines conduct joint navy and army exercises, including establishing a military post to intensify coordination as well as intelligence sharing. The push for joint patrols came on the heels of the abduction of three Indonesian sailors in Malaysia’s Sabah waters in early July, less than a month after the kidnapping of 7 Indonesian crew by Filipino militants in southern Philippine waters.
SE Asia’s region stretching from the SW Philippines to the Malacca Straits has been witness to a number of piracy incidents with the International Maritime Bureau report of 2015 putting the number in excess of 130 attacks. These attacks included armed robbery, hijacking and kidnapping. The Filipino Abu Sayyaf group, which is involved in an insurgency in SW Philippines, has been extensively involved in these incidents. The waters of this region carry more than 55 million barrels of oil and are a strategic thoroughfare. Consequently, such incidents are of major concern to normal maritime activities and can have debilitating economic effects, on not only the region, but also the world. Hence the three countries had agreed in May 2015 to conduct joint patrols to curb this menace. The current document is a culmination of these efforts which should bolster maritime security in the region.
This agreement is of further interest when viewed in the context of recent developments in the South China Sea, especially the increased Chinese aggressiveness and the award of the PCA tribunal. Indonesia has increased its military presence in the Natunas after continued incidents of capture of illegal Chinese fishing vessels in its EEZ. This agreement, is therefore of interest, since it could signal a new engagement amongst the ASEAN countries on issues of security, including on common issues with China.
