Regional cooperation in action during the India-EU workshop on MDA and Interoperability
On 8 December 2021, over 150 participants from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh attended the joint workshop co-organised by CRIMARIO and IFC-IOR. READ MORE Opened by Mr Seppo Nurmi, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to India & Bhutan and Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh, Indian Navy Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Prof Colombage, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry, provided the IORA perspective on maritime security threats and information exchange. This was followed by interventions by senior experts from NMF, IMO, UNODC, NESA, US Africom and INSA on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), with a focus on how to develop interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region.
As noted by Captain Himadri Das from the National Maritime Foundation, three salient points can sum up the interventions and discussions:
- first of all, strengthening regional cooperation needs a multidimensional approach;
- secondly, when looking ahead, we must consider the human factor; and finally
- we need to walk the talk, moving from words to action.
This workshop should not be a single event, but one in a string of events that will continue to foster trust and confidence in one another, so together we can continue to mitigate the common threats faced in the region. Online Recording
Other activities
Tuesdays Second Chance: 2 last editions focusing on WIO The two last editions of Tuesdays Second Chance (TSC) each gathered some 20 participants from Western Indian Ocean countries. On 26 October, Andrew Mallia introduced the case study of the Fishing Vessel Captain Winston to illustrate the conduct of narcotics interdiction on the high seas, the issue of jurisdiction over stateless vessels and the use of force. On 7 December, the case of the fishing vessel Sea King provided an opportunity to discuss SAR interventions. In both cases, the discussions with the participants were very insightful and highlighted potential weaknesses or gaps that exist in the IOA countries. Those two editions were conducted with French interpretation.
Strengthening the IORIS Network The IORIS platform continues to expand as the EU CRIMARIO project extends influence into the Indo-Pacific. During the 4th quarter 2021, Philippines’ authorities benefiting from numerous training sequels by virtual means, but in-country training is expected to commence shortly (COVID-permitting). Basic, Continuity and Refresh courses have been given to the Maldives, Madagascar, Kenya and MICA Center, respectively, with advanced courses delivered to Madagascar and Seychelles. The IORIS team have engaged with Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh and other international entities in the Western Indian Ocean. Expansion into the Indo-Pacific has driven the requirement of French naval assets and the ALPACI organisation in Tahiti to seek engagement and has seen a Netherlands navy frigate using the platform during operations. The recruitment of national trainers (Kenya, Comoros, and Philippines) is an aspiration that continues to be initiated, along with the contracting of an Arabic-speaking instructor to support further expansion into the Arabian Gulf region. The IORIS network is envisaged to further increase collaborative initiatives through training and exercises in 2022 judging by the growing interest seen.
First visit to South Asia (Maldives and India) On 12 November 2021, Project Director Martin Cauchi-Inglott paid a short visit to the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard which included talks with the Commandant of the Coast Guard and tours of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the Maritime Operations Centre. As a result, MNDF agreed to intensify cooperation with CRIMARIO, with Olivier Bezier, Law Enforcement Manager following for talks in January 2022, and an IORIS basic in-county course being held in the same month During his visit to India (15-19 November), Martin Cauchi-Inglott introduced the project and the information sharing tools (IORIS and SHARE.IT) to high-ranking officials from the Navy and Ministry of External Affairs, as well as Defence Attachés from the EU Delegation to India. He also met NMF and IFC-IOR executive staff with a view to developing a strong partnership.
Upcoming events
1st February: TSC South Asia
8th February: TSC WIO
02-04 February: Tabletop interagency exercise using IORIS involving Philippines CG and Navy.
07-11 February: IORIS Train the Trainer course for Philippines Navy and Coastguard (on site)
Mid-February: IORIS Basic Course in Philippines
