India Proposes SHANTI Framework to Strengthen Maritime Governance and Reinforce Its UNSC 2028–29 Candidature

Recent Developments:

• India has launched its candidature for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Non-Permanent Membership (2028–29) under the SHANTI (Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity) framework.
• The framework projects India's vision of a rules-based international order, inclusive multilateralism, Global South representation, future-ready peacekeeping, maritime security, and reformed global governance.
• India also proposes the Bay of Bengal as the first region for operationalising SHANTI before extending the framework across the wider Indo-Pacific.

SHANTI Framework:

Meaning:

• SHANTI stands for Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity.
• The framework provides an operational model for maritime governance based on rules, cooperation and institutional trust.
• The framework represents the next stage of India's evolving maritime doctrine after SAGAR and MAHASAGAR.

Evolution of India's Maritime Vision:

Initiative

Core Focus

Contribution

SAGAR (2015)

Maritime security and regional development

Established India's vision for Security and Growth for All in the Region.

MAHASAGAR (2025)

Indo-Pacific and Global South

Expanded India's maritime vision beyond the Indian Ocean by recognising wider regional interdependence.

SHANTI (2026)

Norms-based maritime governance

Converts India's maritime vision into practical cooperation through Norms, Trust and Integrity.

Objectives of SHANTI Framework:

Rules-Based Maritime Order:

• SHANTI seeks to promote international law, peaceful dispute resolution and freedom of navigation across shared maritime spaces.
• The framework supports governance of the global maritime commons through cooperative rather than competitive approaches.

Strengthening India's Maritime Role:

• The framework seeks to position India as a preferred security partner, first responder, and net security provider in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific.
• The framework builds upon India's record in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime capacity building and regional security cooperation.

Promoting Regional Cooperation:

• SHANTI encourages greater cooperation through BIMSTEC, Colombo Security Conclave, maritime logistics partnerships and coordinated maritime exercises.
• The framework emphasises Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), information sharing and institutional coordination.

Supporting Blue Economy:

• The framework promotes sustainable utilisation of marine resources through Blue Economy initiatives, marine conservation and resilient coastal development.

Why is the Bay of Bengal the Ideal Pilot Region?

Cooperative Maritime Environment:

• The Bay of Bengal experiences relatively lower geopolitical confrontation compared to several other maritime theatres.
• Historical, cultural and economic linkages among littoral states create favourable conditions for trust-based regional cooperation.

Strategic Maritime Location:

• The Bay connects South Asia with Southeast Asia, making it central to India's Act East Policy.
• The region guards the western approaches to the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.
• Stability in the Bay directly contributes to India's maritime security and Indo-Pacific strategy.

Managing Shared Non-Traditional Security Threats:

• Regional cooperation is necessary to address:
• Climate change, coastal erosion, sea-level rise and hyper-cyclones.
• Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing affecting marine livelihoods.
• Marine pollution and ecosystem degradation.
• Drug trafficking, arms smuggling and other transnational maritime crimes.
• SHANTI provides a common framework for coordinated regional responses.

Strengthening Existing Institutions:

• The framework strengthens existing regional institutions instead of creating new organisations.
• BIMSTEC can serve as the principal platform for implementing maritime governance, connectivity and Blue Economy initiatives.

Demonstrating Cooperative Leadership:

• India can demonstrate regional leadership through partnership-based capacity building rather than coercive influence.
• The framework reinforces India's image as a reliable and responsible regional stakeholder.

Significance of SHANTI Framework:

Strategic Significance:

• Marks India's transition from maritime security provider to maritime governance leader.
• Enhances India's role in shaping the evolving Indo-Pacific strategic architecture.
• Strengthens India's credibility as a responsible stakeholder in regional stability.

Diplomatic Significance:

• Reinforces India's campaign for UNSC 2028–29 by highlighting its commitment to multilateralism, peacekeeping and Global South priorities.
• Demonstrates India's support for rules-based global governance and reformed multilateral institutions.

Economic Significance:

• Promotes maritime trade facilitation, resilient supply chains and regional connectivity.
• Supports growth of the Blue Economy, port-led development and sustainable maritime industries.

Security Significance:

• Improves regional preparedness against both traditional and non-traditional maritime threats.
• Strengthens maritime surveillance through enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and information sharing.

Major Challenges in Operationalising SHANTI:

Geopolitical Challenges:

• Expanding Chinese strategic presence in the Bay of Bengal increases geopolitical competition.
• Political instability in Myanmar affects regional connectivity and cross-border infrastructure projects.

Connectivity Challenges:

• Fragmented customs procedures, inadequate port infrastructure and financing gaps slow regional integration.
• Delays in implementing regional transport agreements reduce connectivity benefits.

Institutional Challenges:

• Regional organisations continue to face implementation deficits despite multiple cooperation mechanisms.
• Concerns among smaller neighbours regarding asymmetric power relations may reduce trust.

Environmental Challenges:

• Climate change, cyclones, sea-level rise and marine pollution require sustained regional coordination.
• Increasing IUU Fishing threatens marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.

Maritime Security Challenges:

• Smuggling, piracy, narcotics trafficking and illegal maritime activities require integrated surveillance mechanisms.
• Diverse national capacities create uneven maritime governance across the region.

Way Forward:

Institutionalise Maritime Cooperation:

• Strengthen BIMSTEC through faster implementation of maritime agreements, joint exercises and coordinated policymaking.

Enhance Maritime Domain Awareness:

• Expand information sharing through the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
• Improve satellite surveillance, coastal radar networks and digital maritime monitoring.

Promote Rules-Based Maritime Governance:

• Uphold UNCLOS, freedom of navigation and peaceful dispute resolution.
• Encourage transparent and inclusive maritime governance across the Indo-Pacific.

Strengthen Blue Economy Partnerships:

• Promote sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, renewable ocean energy and resilient coastal infrastructure.

Expand India's First Responder Role:

• Build regional capacities for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
• Strengthen interoperability through regular disaster response exercises and logistics cooperation.

Conclusion:

• SHANTI represents India's transition from a vision-centric maritime approach to an implementation-oriented governance framework.
• Successful implementation in the Bay of Bengal can establish a practical model for cooperative maritime governance across the wider Indo-Pacific, while reinforcing India's position as a responsible regional leader and strengthening its global diplomatic profile.

Value Addition for UPSC:

Important Terms:

• SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region.
• MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
• SHANTI – Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity.
• MDA – Maritime Domain Awareness.
• HADR – Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.
• IUU Fishing – Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.
• IFC-IOR – Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region.
• UNCLOS – United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

UPSC Mains Enrichment:

"India's maritime strategy is evolving from ensuring security in the seas to establishing cooperative governance of the global maritime commons through inclusive, rules-based and trust-driven partnerships."