Operation Vanilla UPSC

Operation Vanilla

It has been launched by the Indian Navy to help cyclone-hit Madagascar. INS Airavat is a large amphibious ship that was on a mission-based deployment near Seychelles. It has been immediately diverted to Madagascar to provide assistance to the flood affected people. 

The assistance of India to Madagascar is in consonance with the Indian Navy's Foreign Cooperation initiatives in line with the Prime Minister's vision of 'Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR)'. 

Note: Madagascar produces 80% of Vanilla in the world. 

Background 

Importance of IOR

• The Indian Ocean has over forty littoral states bearing over 40% of the world’s population. 

• It is the key transit with 2/3rd of the global oil, ½ of the 

container traffic and 1/3rd of the cargo traffic passing through it. 

• Around 35 million barrels of crude oil pass annually and 40% of global exports come from this region. 

• 90% of India’s trade by volume and 90% of its energy imports transit through these waters. 

• As a results peace and security in the Indian Ocean is thus critical for both economic prosperity and social stability of most nations in the world, including India. 

Blue Economy

• Indian Ocean Region is abundant with resources, particularly fisheries, aquaculture, ocean energy, sea-bed mining and minerals, and provides tremendous economic opportunities to develop marine tourism and shipping activities. 

• Polymetallic nodules and polymetallic massive sulphides are the two mineral resources of commercial interest in the Indian Ocean Region. 

• Polymetallic nodules are rounded accretions of manganese and iron hydroxides found in the seafloor. In addition, they contain nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, molybdenum, cadmium, vanadium, titanium, of which nickel, cobalt and copper. 

• Polymetallic sulphides (PMS) are found on deep seabed and contain iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold and platinum. 

Strategic Importance 

• Indian Ocean Region is an integral part of the Indo-pacific construct which is the centre of gravity of current geopolitics. 

• Besides given the rise of China, India has engaged in further enhancing its security presence and act as a Net Security Provider in the Indian Ocean region. 

• Besides, India also intends to act as a First Responder in disaster management in the Indian Ocean region. 

Accordingly, India is spearheading various regional initiatives in the IOR including:- 

1. The Indian Ocean Rim Association: An inter-governmental organisation established in 1997 to enhance cooperation among the member-states whose shores are on the rim of the Indian Ocean. 

2. The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) 

3. Indian Ocean Commission 

4. The SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) 

About SAGAR initiative

• SAGAR represents India’s vision of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

• SAGAR initiative was launched in 2015 in order to develop the ‘Blue Economy’ in IOR by way of linking maritime connectivity, maritime security and economic development. 

• India has a bilateral defence cooperation mechanism with Seychelles, Mauritius and Maldives. SAGAR provides for a mechanism to expand India’s strategic partnerships with other IOR littorals in Asia and Africa. 

• It is estimated that the Gross Marine Product of Western Indian Ocean is about $20.8 billion and thus developing Blue Economy is seen as a strategy to develop the region and India intends to act the leader. 

Challenges 

However, the region is faced with multiple challenges including Piracy, Smuggling, Threat to energy security, Illegal fishing, Illegal migration, Human trafficking etc.

Other Initiatives

• Accordingly, as a net security provider India is extending its help in the region through various initiatives. 

• Recently India hosted the 1st joint military outreach programme with African nations called AFINDEX-2019 including 17 African nations. 

• India has developed a Coastal Radar Surveillance Network deploying Coastal Radars in Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand and Indonesia. 

• To counter Somalian piracy India has engaged and secured a strategic alliance on Naval cooperation on with Oman in the Duqm island. 

• Indian navy has an active naval presence in the Indian Ocean region around the Horn of Africa to combat piracy. The port of Djibouti had also been used by the Indian naval ships since 2008 for anti-piracy missions.