India aur Africa: Regional Stability ke liye Deeper Naval Ties

India aur Africa ke beech sambandh ek naye phase mein enter kar rahe hain, jo shared values aur diplomatic goodwill se aage badhte hue strong maritime partnerships ban rahe hain jo common security challenges ko address karte hain. SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policy ke under, ye collaborations high-level agreements se operational strategies tak evolve ho chuke hain. Indian Navy African waters mein capacity building aur interoperability badhane mein ek pivotal role play kar rahi hai.

PM Narendra Modi ki recent Nigeria visit ne Africa ke saath India ke outreach ko aur strong banaya hai. Modi ne African nations ke saath ties deepen karne ki India ki commitment ko emphasize kiya, specially defence, trade, aur energy mein strategic cooperation ke liye. Regional collaboration par yeh renewed focus Indian Ocean Region (IOR) ko ek secure aur prosperous maritime domain banane ki India ki vision ko reinforce karta hai.

South Africa ke liye Submarine Lifeline

India-Africa naval cooperation ka ek significant milestone hai September 2024 mein sign hua submarine rescue support agreement between India aur South Africa. Is landmark accord ke through Indian Navy apna Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) underwater emergencies ke time South Africa ki help ke liye deploy kar sakti hai. South Africa ki limited submarine rescue infrastructure ko dekhte hue, yeh arrangement ek critical safety net provide karta hai.

India ka DSRV jo 650 meters ki depth tak operate kar sakta hai aur air, road, ya sea ke through deploy ho sakta hai, international operations mein apne proven track record ke liye jaana jata hai. Iska ek example 2021 ka KRI Nanggala submarine crisis hai jo Indonesia mein hua tha. Aisi advanced capabilities offer karke, India South Africa ki naval preparedness ko enhance karta hai aur regional maritime safety ko strengthen karta hai.

Yeh partnership practical capacity building ki India ki broader strategy ko reflect karti hai, jo PM Modi ne Nigeria visit ke dauran reiterate ki thi, jahaan unhone Africa ke across developmental aur security support provide karne ki India ki commitment ko reaffirm kiya.

Naval Command ki Next Generation ka Training

Technical capabilities ke alawa, India ne African naval forces ko targeted training initiatives ke through empower karne ko prioritize kiya hai. November 2024 mein, South African Navy ka ek delegation India ke Sea Training Headquarters (Kochi) visit karne aaya aur ek intensive Operational Sea Training (OST) program mein part liya.

Ye program Indian Navy ke Fleet Operational Sea Training (FOST) team dwara conduct kiya gaya, jo simulations, damage control drills, firefighting aur harbour operations cover karta tha. Aise hands-on training se South African naval personnel ko real-world maritime challenges ko handle karne ke liye advanced protocols milte hain.

PM Modi ka Nigeria visit ke dauran knowledge sharing par emphasis bhi in initiatives ke saath align karta hai. IOR mein "Preferred Training Partner" hone ke nathe, India African nations ko apne operational standards enhance karne mein enable karta hai, aur regional security threats ko handle karne ki self-reliance foster karta hai.

IBSAMAR VIII: Multinational Cooperation ka Showcase

IBSAMAR ka 8th edition, jo India, Brazil aur South Africa ke beech trilateral naval exercise hai, India ki multinational maritime collaboration ko promote karne ki commitment ko dikhata hai. October 2024 mein conduct hua IBSAMAR VIII South African coast ke paas hua, jisme Indian Navy ka stealth frigate INS Talwar ne advanced exercises mein part liya.

Is exercise ne Blue Water Naval Warfare, maritime domain awareness aur coordinated response strategies par focus karke tino navies ke beech interoperability ko strengthen kiya. Aise collaborations shared challenges jaise piracy, illegal fishing aur trafficking ko handle karne ke liye crucial hain, jo IOR ki stability ko threaten karte hain.

PM Modi ki Nigeria visit ne aise cooperative frameworks ki importance ko highlight kiya, aur African nations ke beech trust aur operational synergy ko foster karne mein India ki role ko reiterate kiya.

Broader Africa-India Cooperation ke liye Template

India-South Africa naval partnership Africa ke across aur wide collaborations ke liye ek model hai. Jaise piracy aur maritime crimes Gulf of Guinea jaise regions ko impact karte hain, India ka expertise practical solutions offer karta hai. Submarine rescue se lekar training programs aur joint exercises tak, African navies Indian partnerships se kaafi benefit kar sakti hain.

Gulf of Guinea, jo ek piracy hotspot hai, particularly India ke maritime domain awareness aur crisis response capabilities ka leverage karne ke liye suitable hai. Indian naval forces ke saath collaborate karke, African nations apne security frameworks ko strengthen kar sakte hain, aur ek safer maritime environment create kar sakte hain jo trade aur development ke liye helpful ho.

Regional Partnerships mein Strategic Shift

Africa mein India ka evolving role traditional defence alliances se hatkar ek actionable, outcome-oriented collaboration ki taraf shift ko dikhata hai. Nigeria mein PM Modi ki discussions ne is shift ko highlight kiya, aur practical engagements ko focus kiya jo shared security concerns ko address karte hain.

Submarine rescue, advanced training aur multinational exercises jaise critical capabilities offer karke, India African nations ko resilient naval frameworks banane mein assist kar raha hai. Ye partnerships IOR mein net-security provider ke roop mein India ki position ko highlight karti hain, jo India ki SAGAR vision ke saath align karti hain.

Jaise-jaise India aur Africa apne maritime engagements deepen karte hain, ye ek secure, stable aur prosperous future ki foundation rakhti hain. Ye initiatives immediate security challenges ko address karti hain aur agle kai saalon tak region ke maritime dynamics ko reshape karne ka promise karti hain.