PSIR editorial analysis and daily answer writing 13th December
PSIR editorial deepanalysis 13th December 2025
Topic: The Indian Ocean as cradle of a new blue economy
Context: 2026 is going to be a pivotal year of ocean governance:
· We are about to ratify: Biodiversity Beyond National jurisdiction agreement is set to enter into force on January 17, 2026.
· COP30 in Belem (Brazil) concluded in Nov.
· Sixth Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance in China.
PYQs linkage:
- Critically evaluate the approaches of global south towards addressing environment concerns. 15(2014)
- Examine the main problems and challenges involved in looking after environmental concerns in world politics. 20 (2016) question asked in part b of paper 1.
- Narrate the various ways in which rapid environmental degradation is posing a serious threat to human security. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples. 15(2023)
: (fusion of human security topic with environment topic)
- Critically assess the changing nature of the concept of national security.15(2014)
- What does global human security need to be emphasized along with economic security? Explain with examples.20(2016)
Theory application:
Environment Theoretical dimensions:
Realist: concerned with survival than sustainability. Traditional view of security.
Liberal:
Liberalism is strongly anthropocentric, by virtue of its belief in individualism. Liberals have strong faith in scientific rationality and technology, encouraging them to adopt a problem-solving approach to nature placing reliance on human ingenuity.
(Liberal view IR)
“…even in the most complex of arenas, cooperation can prevail over conflict, and solidarity over rivalry.”
Critical views:
Ecofeminism: an essential or natural bond between women and nature. Traditional ‘female values’ (reciprocity, cooperation and nurturing) have an ecological character. Women are creature of nature; men are creature of culture. Men’s world is man-made, a product of human ingenuity rather than natural creativity. Environmental degradation is an inevitable consequence of patriarchal power.
- Traditional view of security vs conception of human security
Social constructivism:
Alexander Wendt “Anarchy is what state makes of it”
“…the story India chooses to tell. Not of rivalry, but of responsibility. Not of dominance, but of stewardship.”
“This time, the task is not to draft law, but to shape practice – ensuring that the Indian ocean becomes not a theatre of rivalry, but a laboratory of sustainability, innovation, and resilience.”
- Geography as a determinant of foreign policy
Concepts and keywords:
- Theatre of rivalry, cooperative management, rather than competitive exploitation, coordinated regional action, security through sustainability, “Indo-Pacific strategy”, naval balance, freedom of navigation, secure sea lanes, Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), ocean governance, ocean leadership, ocean diplomacy, cradle of new blue economy,
Important facts:
- One Ocean Partnership (as part of the Belem Action Agenda at COP30) committing to mobilize $20 billion for ocean action by 2030.
- 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice,
- COP30 in Belem
- Entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement
- The Blue Economy and Financial Forum (BEFF) Monaco, 2025 highlighted a € 25 billion pipeline of existing ocean investments and announced €8.7 billion in new commitments.
- The finance in Common Ocean coalition announced annual pledges of $7.5 billion
- India’s chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
important quotes or statements:
- “whichever way we turn, we are drawn to the seas. Our future security and prosperity are closely linked with the freedom and the resources of the oceans.” Nehru
- “We seek a future for the Indian Ocean that lives up to its name as a zone of peace, stability and prosperity” Modi
- “India’s approach to Indian Ocean is ‘cooperative, consultative and outcome-oriented’, aimed at shared prosperity and stability.” Jaishankar
- “We don’t want to impoverish the environment any more than we want to impoverish our people.” Indira Gandhi.
Brief analysis and key points from the news or editorial:
Challenges to environment: (link with human security)
- Climate change is heating and acidifying the seas
- Rising sea levels
- Illegal and unregulated fishing creates threat to marine life
- Coral reef degradation
- Intensifying storm surges
(All these challenges erode livelihoods and undermine social stability)
Addressing these threats requires a shift from traditional notions of maritime security toward security (human) through sustainability)
- To move beyond rhetoric, to align vision with finance, and to build partnerships that endure.
Opportunity for India: to play a historic relationship:
India’s history in ocean diplomacy gives it credibility.
India’s future in ocean leadership gives it the responsibility.
To demonstrate how the Indian Ocean region can pioneer globally relevant solutions:
- Green shipping corridors
- Blue bonds
- Inclusive marine technology transfer
- Carefully governed ocean-based carbon dioxide removal