{"id":368663,"date":"2026-07-31T15:23:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T09:53:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=368663"},"modified":"2026-07-31T15:26:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T09:56:31","slug":"indias-shanti-doctrine-explained-pointwise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-shanti-doctrine-explained-pointwise\/","title":{"rendered":"India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine &#8211; Explained Pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-368667\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-31-2026-03_22_53-PM.png?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"India's SHANTI doctrine \" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-31-2026-03_22_53-PM.png?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-31-2026-03_22_53-PM.png?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-31-2026-03_22_53-PM.png?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ChatGPT-Image-Jul-31-2026-03_22_53-PM.png?w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Recently, the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar introduced SHANTI (<b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"40\">S<\/b>ecuring <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"49\">H<\/b>olistic <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"58\">A<\/b>dvancement through <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"78\">N<\/b>orms, <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"85\">T<\/b>rust and <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"95\">I<\/b>ntegrity) during the launch of India&#8217;s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term. SHANTI provides a normative framework for shared maritime spaces &amp; Bay of Bengal can serve as the ideal region to operationalize it before expanding it across the much wider Indo-Pacific region.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%; text-align: center;\"><strong>Table of Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><a href=\"#h1\">What is India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h2\">How has India&#8217;s maritime\/foreign policy doctrine evolved in last 10 years?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h3\">What is the significance of India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h4\">How can the Bay of Bengal play an important role in implementing India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h5\">What are the major challenges in implementing India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h1\"><\/a>What is India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong data-start=\"45\" data-end=\"64\">SHANTI Doctrine<\/strong> is a <strong data-start=\"70\" data-end=\"117\">foreign policy and global governance vision<\/strong> unveiled by the External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during the launch of India&#8217;s campaign for a <strong data-start=\"224\" data-end=\"301\">non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028\u201329 term.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>It presents India&#8217;s approach towards building a <strong data-start=\"351\" data-end=\"392\">secure, peaceful, and equitable world<\/strong> based on <strong data-start=\"402\" data-end=\"451\">rules, cooperation, and inclusive development.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>SHANTI stands for: <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"40\">S<\/b>ecuring <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"49\">H<\/b>olistic <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"58\">A<\/b>dvancement through <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"78\">N<\/b>orms, <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"85\">T<\/b>rust and <b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"95\">I<\/b>ntegrity.<\/li>\n<li>SHANTI is India&#8217;s latest strategic framework, building upon the earlier <strong>SAGAR<\/strong> (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and <strong>MAHASAGAR<\/strong> frameworks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h2\"><\/a>How has India&#8217;s maritime\/foreign policy doctrine evolved in last 10 years?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"citation-2237\">The <\/span><b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"4\"><span class=\"citation-2237\">SAGAR<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-2237\">, <\/span><b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"11\"><span class=\"citation-2237\">MAHASAGAR<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-2237\">, and <\/span><b data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"26\"><span class=\"citation-2237\">SHANTI<\/span><\/b><span class=\"citation-2237 citation-end-2237\"> doctrines represent three distinct, sequential stages in the evolution of India\u2019s maritime strategy and foreign policy.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f4f5ae;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 1.17707%;\"><b data-path-to-node=\"3,0,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">SAGAR<\/b><br \/>\n(2015)<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 98.8229%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">S<\/b>ecurity <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"9\">A<\/b>nd <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"13\">G<\/b>rowth for <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"24\">A<\/b>ll in the <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"35\">R<\/b>egion<\/li>\n<li>Focused on immediate littorals and island states i.e. the Indian Ocean Region (e.g. Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka).<\/li>\n<li>Position India as the primary <b data-path-to-node=\"3,3,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"30\">&#8220;Net Security Provider&#8221;<\/b> and emergency first responder in the IOR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Core objective:\u00a0<\/strong>Inclusive regional development and freedom of navigation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 1.17707%;\"><b data-path-to-node=\"3,0,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">MAHASAGAR<\/b> (2025)<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 98.8229%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">M<\/b>utual and <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"11\">A<\/b>ligned <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"19\">H<\/b>olistic <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"28\">A<\/b>dvancement for <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"44\">S<\/b>ecurity <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"53\">a<\/b>nd <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"57\">G<\/b>rowth <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"64\">A<\/b>cross <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"71\">R<\/b>egions<\/li>\n<li>Extends to Southeast Asia, Pacific Island nations, Africa, and Latin America.<\/li>\n<li>Consolidate influence across the Global South to counter assertive rise of China (e.g. China&#8217;s Belt and Road Initiative).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Core objective:\u00a0<\/strong>Strategic partnership and economic diversification for developing nations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 1.17707%;\"><b data-path-to-node=\"3,0,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">SHANTI<\/b> (2026)<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 98.8229%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">S<\/b>ecuring <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"9\">H<\/b>olistic <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"18\">A<\/b>dvancement through <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"38\">N<\/b>orms, <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"45\">T<\/b>rust and <b data-path-to-node=\"3,1,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"55\">I<\/b>ntegrity<\/li>\n<li>Anchor area begins in the <b data-path-to-node=\"3,2,3,2\" data-index-in-node=\"26\">Bay of Bengal<\/b> (via BIMSTEC), extending to global platforms (UNSC).<\/li>\n<li>Establish a <b data-path-to-node=\"3,3,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"12\">rules-based, trust-driven operational framework<\/b> focused on non-military, demand-driven cooperation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Core objective:\u00a0<\/strong>Rules-based governance, multilateral institutional reform, and peaceful dispute resolution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h3\"><\/a>What is the significance of India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Strengthens India&#8217;s Bid for UNSC Term<\/strong>: SHANTI provides a values-based campaign platform for India&#8217;s candidature for the <strong>2028\u201329 non-permanent seat<\/strong>, competing against Tajikistan for the sole Asia-Pacific Group slot.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Supports India&#8217;s UNSC Aspirations<\/strong>: By explicitly mentioning that reform limited only to the non-permanent category would be a &#8220;failure,&#8221; SHANTI boosts India&#8217;s <strong>permanent seat ambition<\/strong> even while pursuing a non-permanent term.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Promotes Rules-Based Global Order<\/strong>: The SHANTI Doctrine reaffirms India&#8217;s commitment to international law, the UN Charter, peaceful dispute resolution, and multilateralism. Thus, it will help in fostering a stable, predictable, and equitable global order based on shared norms and mutual trust.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Advances the Interests of the Global South<\/strong>: The SHANTI Doctrine reinforces India&#8217;s role as the voice of the Global South by advocating equitable global governance, greater representation in international institutions, development cooperation, climate justice, and inclusive, sustainable growth.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strengthens Maritime Security<\/strong>: The SHANTI Doctrine complements <strong data-start=\"69\" data-end=\"78\">SAGAR<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"83\" data-end=\"96\">MAHASAGAR<\/strong> by promoting a <strong data-start=\"112\" data-end=\"166\">free, open, secure, and rules-based maritime order<\/strong>, strengthening maritime cooperation, ensuring freedom of navigation, and enhancing security across the Indo-Pacific region.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Promotes Peace and Stability<\/strong>: The SHANTI Doctrine emphasizes peaceful dispute resolution, and dialogue-based conflict management, contributing to regional and global peace, stability, and a rules-based international order.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Encourages Responsible Use of Technology<\/strong>: The SHANTI Doctrine advocates the ethical, secure, and inclusive use of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, cyber technologies, and digital platforms through international cooperation, robust governance, and global standards.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strengthens India&#8217;s Indo-Pacific Strategy<\/strong>: The SHANTI Doctrine complements\u00a0the <strong data-start=\"100\" data-end=\"119\">Act East Policy<\/strong>, and the <strong data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"170\">Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)<\/strong> by promoting a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific through enhanced maritime cooperation, connectivity, and regional partnerships.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h4\"><\/a>How can the Bay of Bengal play an important role in implementing India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Strengthening Maritime Security<\/strong>: The SHANTI doctrine enables India to enhance maritime security\u00a0 in Bay of Bengal through coordinated naval exercises, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), intelligence sharing, and joint efforts against piracy, terrorism, trafficking, and illegal fishing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Promoting a Rules-Based Maritime Order<\/strong>: SHANTI enables India to uphold <strong data-start=\"88\" data-end=\"98\">UNCLOS<\/strong>, freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and respect for international maritime law, fostering stability, trust, and secure maritime commerce in the Bay of Bengal region first &amp; then in the Indo-Pacific region.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Enhancing Regional Connectivity<\/strong>: SHANTI Doctrine will enhance the regional connectivity in the Bay of Bengal littoral countries by improving multimodal connectivity through the <strong data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"160\">Kaladan Project<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"162\" data-end=\"207\">India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway<\/strong>, ports, and coastal shipping, fostering trade, economic integration, and regional trust.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Advancing the Blue Economy<\/strong>: The SHANTI Doctrine promotes sustainable fisheries, marine resource management, offshore renewable energy, maritime tourism, and resilient port infrastructure in the Bay of Bengal, fostering inclusive growth, regional cooperation, and environmental sustainability.<\/li>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Climate Resilience &amp; Disaster Management:<\/b> The Bay of Bengal is one of the world&#8217;s most cyclone-prone marine basins, directly threatening millions of coastal residents. Under the SHANTI doctrine\u2019s widened security scope, India leads joint HADR exercises &amp; early-warning data sharingacross the littoral states.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strengthening BIMSTEC<\/strong>: SHANTI will eventually help in strengthening &amp; operationalizing the <strong data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"54\">BIMSTEC<\/strong> by enhancing regional cooperation in maritime security, trade, connectivity, disaster management, and capacity building, while fostering trust, inclusive development, and a rules-based order in the Bay of Bengal.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h5\"><\/a>What are the major challenges in implementing India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"6,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Veto Power and Structural Stalemate:<\/b> The core pillar of SHANTI calls for reforming the UNSC. However, the five permanent members (P5) remain reluctant to dilute their veto powers or agree on text-based negotiations, making it difficult for India to achieve concrete reforms and expand the Security Council.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Regional Security Threats<\/strong>: Persistent terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, maritime disputes, and transnational crime in the Indo-Pacific and Bay of Bengal can undermine regional stability, making effective implementation of the <strong data-start=\"247\" data-end=\"266\">SHANTI Doctrine<\/strong> more challenging.<\/li>\n<li><strong>China&#8217;s Expanding Maritime Presence<\/strong>: China&#8217;s expanding naval deployments, port infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and growing influence in the Indian Ocean challenge India&#8217;s efforts to promote a secure, rules-based, and cooperative maritime order under the SHANTI Doctrine.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Weak Regional Cooperation<\/strong>: Divergent strategic interests, political differences, and uneven institutional capacities among regional countries can hinder consensus-building, limiting effective cooperation on maritime security, connectivity, climate action, and implementation of the SHANTI Doctrine.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Climate Change and Natural Disasters<\/strong>: Frequent cyclones, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion in the Bay of Bengal threaten maritime infrastructure, connectivity, and livelihoods, making climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and regional cooperation essential for the effective implementation of the SHANTI Doctrine.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Resource Constraints<\/strong>: Implementing the SHANTI Doctrine requires sustained investment in maritime infrastructure, naval modernization, connectivity projects, technology, capacity building, and development partnerships. Limited financial and institutional resources may constrain its effective implementation and long-term sustainability.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span class=\"\">Erosion of Strategic Autonomy:<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"\"> India&#8217;s broader maritime challenges involve balancing its desire to counter China&#8217;s influence without engaging in the arms race or becoming entangled in formal alliances &#8211; which is a tightrope walk that impacts all its maritime doctrines<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong>: The success of the <strong data-start=\"2256\" data-end=\"2275\">SHANTI Doctrine<\/strong> will depend on India&#8217;s ability to strengthen the regional institutions, build maritime and technological capacities, and translate its vision of <strong data-start=\"2469\" data-end=\"2500\">Norms, Trust, and Integrity<\/strong> into practical outcomes through sustained diplomacy and partnerships.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\">UPSC GS-2: International Relations<br \/>\nRead More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/the-bay-of-bengal-as-indias-shanti-anchor\/article71287214.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Hindu<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recently, the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar introduced SHANTI (Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity) during the launch of India&#8217;s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term. SHANTI provides a normative framework for shared maritime spaces &amp; Bay of Bengal can serve as the ideal&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-shanti-doctrine-explained-pointwise\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">India&#8217;s SHANTI Doctrine &#8211; Explained Pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10391,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-368663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-7-pm","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10391"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=368663"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368663\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=368663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=368663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=368663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}