UNCLOS and climate-induced maritime challenges: Strategic implications for the Indian Ocean Region

Abstract

ABSTRACT Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st Century. Climate change-induced challenges are intrinsically linked to the oceans because they are a critical part of the global climate system. Increasing anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have resulted in sea level rise, which acts as a threat multiplier in the maritime domain. Sea level rise will also affect established baselines of certain countries, especially archipelagic states and island nations; which in turn, will certainly impinge on states' maritime zones and related rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The scenario is also likely to exacerbate geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which is emerging as the focal point of great power rivalry. From a strategic point of view, these climate-induced maritime challenges present a compelling opportunity for India to work collaboratively with the IOR countries to improve upon the regional human and environmental security, in accordance with India's maritime security strategy. If the Indian initiatives concurrently, manage to balance the overarching Chinese objective of leveraging their increased presence in the IOR to influence non-traditional security dynamics in the region to their benefit, so much the better.