The Bay of Bengal as India’s SHANTI anchor
India has introduced the SHANTI framework to enhance maritime security and cooperation in the Bay of Bengal. This initiative aims to address non-traditional threats like climate disasters and illegal fishing while countering geopolitical competition in the region.
Why it matters
It represents a strategic shift in India's foreign policy to secure its maritime interests and influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Bay of Bengal region, one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions, lacks coordinated mechanisms to respond to natural disasters. Non-traditional threats such as climate-induced disasters, illegal fishing, cyber vulnerabilities, and supply chain disruptions require regional cooperation beyond bilateral aid or maritime power. This gap — growing capacity without shared norms — highlights the need for stronger maritime security.
On July 13, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar introduced Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity (SHANTI) while launching India’s candidature for the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term. Building on Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR), SHANTI provides a normative framework for shared maritime spaces, with the Bay of Bengal serving as the ideal region to operationalise it before expanding it across the wider Indo-Pacific.
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