Context: SHANTI Framework Bay of Bengal
India has proposed SHANTI, or Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity, as a maritime governance framework for the Bay of Bengal.
The framework aims to strengthen regional cooperation through shared rules, trust and institutional partnerships rather than strategic rivalry.
Bay of Bengal’s Strategic Importance
The Bay of Bengal is one of the most important maritime spaces in the Indo-Pacific.
It connects South Asia with Southeast Asia and provides access to important sea routes.
It is also linked with India’s Act East Policy, maritime security strategy and regional connectivity.
The Bay of Bengal is important for:
- Trade
- Energy movement
- Fisheries
- Disaster response
- Blue economy
- Maritime connectivity
- Security cooperation
SHANTI Framework
SHANTI stands for Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity.
It aims to institutionalise maritime cooperation based on:
- Rules
- Trust
- Shared responsibility
- Regional coordination
- Common maritime interests
It complements India’s earlier maritime visions such as SAGAR and MAHASAGAR.
Objectives of SHANTI
The framework seeks to promote a rules-based maritime order.
It also aims to strengthen cooperation in:
- Maritime security
- Disaster management
- Humanitarian assistance
- Blue economy
- Fisheries management
- Environmental protection
- Maritime law enforcement
The focus is on solving shared regional challenges through institutions and cooperation.
Why the Bay of Bengal Is Suitable
The Bay of Bengal has many common transboundary challenges.
These include cyclones, illegal fishing, climate risks, maritime pollution, trafficking, disaster vulnerability and weak regional coordination.
Because many countries share this maritime space, India can use it as a starting point for cooperative maritime leadership.
Link with BIMSTEC
BIMSTEC is an important platform for Bay of Bengal cooperation.
It includes countries from South Asia and Southeast Asia.
A stronger Bay of Bengal framework can deepen cooperation between India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.
This also supports India’s Act East and Indo-Pacific vision.
Significance for India
The framework reinforces India’s role as a preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
It allows India to lead through consensus-building rather than dominance.
It also helps India counter instability and strategic competition by promoting cooperation, trust and rules.
Key Takeaway
SHANTI can make the Bay of Bengal the starting point of India’s cooperative maritime strategy. It links maritime security with regional trust, institutions and shared development.
