Page 38 - Navy Journal 219

Navy Journal 2019

Epilogue
The rights of coastal states to benefit from the ‘common heritage of
mankind’ as well as the jurisdiction of maritime governance regarding coastal
zone management, integrated coastal zone management of the seas and ocean
spaces are clearly delineated by the legal framework such as UNCLOS III of
1982, IMO conventions and protocols including the relevant domestic laws.
There are claims that UNCLOS III is ambiguous regarding governance beyond
national jurisdiction. However, this should in no way discourage Bangladesh to
explore and exploit the resources of the ‘Ratnakara’. But as a first step we must
‘dream’ to go to the IO. And this dream should take away our sleep as a nation
on its awesome economic ascendency with a vision to be a developed country by
2041.

The analysis of IO and its surroundings- the IOR reveals that the strategic
scenario vis-à-vis threat as well as other challenges in the realm of IR between
and among the IOR states knowingly or inadvertently are engaged in
Realpolitik.The manifestation of it is the prophesies of host of scholars that a new
world order led by China is in the making and IO is playing a significant role in
its shaping. Prominent among the countries involved in this ‘big game’ of
Realpolitik in the IO are USA, China and India. What will be the reply of China
today if reminded that it voted for declaring IOZOP in 1971 against the motion
of the other four security council members? What comfort India would provide
to her neighbours to reduce their agony? Realpolitik to promote ‘national
interest’ could possibly be the answer !

Bangladeshi policy makers and particularly the maritime think tanks and
Foreign Affairs officials should read the Realpolitik writings on the waters of the
IO, should listen to the sounds of the Ocean waves revealing the ‘fog and
friction’ of BRI, MSR, SAGAR, SAGARMALA, Quad and the Quad plus. Why
should they listen? They should listen to translate the “writings and the sounds”
of the IO to articulate our own narrative, to inscribe the ‘strategy’ and ‘action
plans’ for our beloved maritime speck of land to unveil the golden future by
embracing the ‘monsoon’ of the IO. Imitating Ulysses the legendary Greek hero,
the king of Ithaca, it can be said that it is not too late to discover a “Newer
World”. Bangladesh can cast off and set the sail beyond the sunset with “heroic
hearts”, which are “strong in will” to persevere, to explore and never give up.

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