Jaishankar calls for Stronger Global Collaboration on Maritime Security at G7 Outreach Session
NIAGARA (ONTARIO): External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar underscored India’s expanding role in securing global maritime routes and promoting resilient ocean-based economic linkages during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) Outreach Session on Maritime Security and Prosperity.
Participating in the session hosted by the G7 countries, Dr. Jaishankar outlined India’s strategic maritime vision through its MAHASAGAR outlook and Indo-Pacific partnerships, while emphasising the nation’s commitment to port-led development and secure sea lanes.
Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the growing need for trusted and diversified maritime supply chains, noting India’s ongoing efforts to upgrade its shipping infrastructure and build resilient connectivity corridors. With maritime transport handling over 90% of global trade volumes, he said, strengthening these networks is essential for both national and international economic stability.
A key area of discussion at the session was the protection of critical maritime and undersea infrastructure, including communication cables and energy pipelines. The Minister called for enhanced coordination among like-minded countries, warning that disruptions—whether accidental or intentional—carry far-reaching security and economic consequences.
Raising concerns over rising maritime threats, Dr. Jaishankar pointed to piracy, smuggling, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing as challenges that demand deeper intelligence-sharing and joint operational cooperation. He also reaffirmed India’s growing reputation as a first responder in the region, citing the country’s extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts, joint exercises, and expanding logistics agreements across the Indo-Pacific.
He reiterated that India’s maritime doctrine is anchored in the principle that secure and open seas are vital to global prosperity, and that resilient ports and safe waterways form the backbone of global supply chains.
Stressing that global maritime order must be upheld through universally accepted rules, Dr. Jaishankar emphasised that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains the bedrock of maritime governance and should be respected by all nations.
The G7 Outreach Session brought together key partners to discuss strengthening maritime stability amid rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain vulnerabilities, and competition in the Indo-Pacific.