MARITIME SECURITY CHALLENGES AND RULE-BASED ORDER IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION

Maritime security challenges in the region include piracy, smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal fishing, among others. These challenges threaten the safety of seafarers, disrupt trade, and undermine the rule of law.

- Angela Phangchopi

Maritime security refers to the measures taken to protect vessels, ports, coastal areas, and other maritime infrastructure from threats such as piracy, terrorism, smuggling, and environmental damage. It encompasses a range of activities, including surveillance and intelligence gathering, risk assessment and management, law enforcement, and emergency response. Effective maritime security requires cooperation and coordination between various actors, including government agencies, private industry, and international organizations. The goal of maritime security is to ensure safe and secure navigation and trade on the world's oceans while minimizing the risks posed by criminal activity and other threats.

The Indo-Pacific region is a geopolitical term used to describe the vast area that spans from the eastern coast of Africa to the western shores of the Americas, encompassing the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean. This region is home to some of the world's most populous and economically important countries, including China, India, Japan, and Australia.

It also features critical shipping routes and strategic chokepoints, such as the Strait of Malacca, the South China Sea, and the Bab elMandeb. The Indo-Pacific region is of growing importance in global affairs, with many countries seeking to strengthen their ties and influence in the area.