MEA Emphasis On SAGAR Vision At PM Modi's Swearing-In: What Is It And Why It Matters?

Several heads of state from neighbouring countries will be present at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony tomorrow.

It has been announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) that leaders from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal, and Bhutan have been invited to attend the event, in alignment with India's steadfast commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision.

In an official statement released on Saturday, the MEA confirmed, "The President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, have accepted the invitation to attend."

What is the SAGAR Vision?

India's SAGAR vision, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region, was launched in 2015. According to The Hindu, the term was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the Indian Ocean island states of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.

The vision was elaborated during a keynote speech at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), where Modi stated, "Our vision for the Indian Ocean Region is rooted in advancing cooperation in our region and using our capabilities for the benefit of all in our common maritime home".

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) describes the SAGAR vision as a collective pursuit of security based on shared interests. The plan is seen as a moral framework that respects the "legitimate strategic imperative of all civilized nations." The vision aims to strengthen India's economic and security ties with its maritime neighbours while enhancing their maritime security capabilities.

The initiative focuses on areas such as information sharing, coastline surveillance, infrastructure development, and capacity building. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has described the SAGAR vision as "consultative, democratic, and equitable" .

Objectives of the SAGAR Vision

According to DrishtiIAS, the objectives of the SAGAR initiative include:

• Security: Enhancing coastal security to protect land and maritime territories.
• Capacity Building: Deepening economic and security cooperation for the facilitation of trade and maritime security.
• Collective Action: Promoting collective action to address natural disasters and maritime threats such as piracy, terrorism, and emergent non-state actors.
• Sustainable Development: Working towards sustainable regional development through collaboration.
• Maritime Engagement: Engaging with countries to build trust and promote respect for maritime rules, norms, and peaceful dispute resolution.
• The vision is also significant in countering China's influence in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the 'string of pearls' strategy.

Initiatives Under SAGAR

As per ORF, India conducts patrols and naval exercises with countries like Japan, Australia, the US, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Thailand under the SAGAR initiative. These activities aim to enhance cooperation and tackle illegal activities, including maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and armed robbery.

India also launched Mission Sagar on May 10, 2020, as part of its humanitarian aid efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mission involved the INS Kesari delivering essential supplies, medicines, and medical teams to countries such as the Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles. The ship travelled 7,500 nautical miles over 55 days before returning to India on June 28, 2020.

Preparations for Modi's Swearing-In Ceremony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers are scheduled to be sworn in on Sunday evening. Extensive preparations are underway, with over 8,000 guests expected to attend the ceremony. The guest list includes labourers, lawyers, doctors, artists, cultural performers, and influencers. Invitations have been extended to workers involved in the Central Vista project, participants in Mann Ki Baat, and Padma awardees, as well as notable figures from the sports, film, and business sectors.

Due to weather conditions, the ceremony will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan instead of Kartavya Path. Modi's leadership of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has been formally endorsed, with support from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) .

Security and Airspace Restrictions

A sophisticated three-layered security system has been implemented for the swearing-in ceremony. According to The Indian Express, the security measures include internal security by Rashtrapati Bhavan personnel, external security by the Delhi Police, and paramilitary forces in between. Approximately 2,500 personnel, including Delhi Armed Police and paramilitary forces, will be on duty. The security arrangements will resemble those for the previous year's G20 Summit.

The Delhi Police has declared a No-Fly Zone over the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi from June 9 to 10 to prevent potential aerial threats. Violations will result in penalties under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

Invited Guests and Attendees

In addition to heads of state from neighbouring countries, notable guests from various sectors have been invited, reflecting Modi's inclusive approach to the event. The guest list includes prominent politicians, religious leaders, and individuals from the sports and entertainment industries. The ceremony is expected to be a grand affair, showcasing India's commitment to regional cooperation and security.