SAGAR Doctrine

Definition

India's maritime vision for the Indian Ocean region, "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR), articulated in 2015, aimed at cooperative maritime security and sustainable development among littoral States.

Key points

• The acronym SAGAR stands for "Security and Growth for All in the Region"; "sagar" also means "ocean" in Hindi, making the name a deliberate play on words.
• It was articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 during a visit to Mauritius and outlines India's role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region.
• Its pillars include deepening economic and security cooperation with friendly littoral States, capacity-building, collective action against maritime threats such as piracy and terrorism, and sustainable use of ocean resources (the "blue economy").
• It complements the Indo-Pacific outlook, the Act East Policy, and the Neighbourhood First Policy, and supports India's leadership in groupings such as IORA.
• It responds in part to China's expanding maritime presence in the Indian Ocean, including the "string of pearls" concern.

Why it matters for CAPF

SAGAR connects maritime security, the blue economy, and Indian Ocean diplomacy; its full form, 2015 articulation, and link to coastal security are standard current-affairs facts.

Common confusion

SAGAR is a maritime cooperation vision for the Indian Ocean, not a naval force or a treaty. Do not confuse it with "Sagar Prahari Bal" (a Navy force protecting naval bases) or with the operational coastal-security architecture.

Related concepts

concept indian ocean rim association, concept coastal security architecture, concept neighbourhood first, concept act east policy

Parent note

coastal and maritime security