Examine the increasing significance of maritime security in India's foreign policy. (UPSC CSE Mains 2019 - Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2).
- There is no universal definition of maritime security, but itclassifies issues in the maritime domain comprising national security, marine environment, economic development, and human security.
- Besides the world''s oceans, it also deals with regional seas, territorial waters, rivers and ports.
Significance of Maritime Security
- Maritime security is of utmost significance to the world community as there are maritime concerns ranging from piracy at sea to illegal immigration and weapon smuggling.
- It alsodeals with threats of terrorist attacks and environmental catastrophes.
- Because large-scale commercial operations take place in the ocean ecosystem, there will inevitably be incidents that harm the environment.
- For India, maritime security is an important aspect of national securityas it has a coastline of over 7,000 km. With advancement in technology, physical threats in the maritime region have now been overshadowed by technological threats.
- India’s exports and imports have remained mostly across the shipping lanesof the Indian Ocean.
- Therefore,Securing Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) have been an important issue for India.
- The Indian Ocean, which has been an “ocean of peace”, is now witness to rivalries and competitions. In the changing geopolitical scenario, we see a potential of having a clash of interest, we need to protect it and be vigilant.
- The more we develop, the more assets we create, the more prosperous we get, greater would be the vulnerability and the need for security in the maritime domain. Security at the high seas and economic wellbeing is inextricably linked and all stakeholders must work unitedly.
- In national security discourse, the importance of land and maritime borders are very different. One cannot fence the maritime borders, and that disputes in seas are resolved through international norms and laws, while land disputes are bilateral in nature. National Security Adviser also said that it is a major challenge to deny accessibility to foreign intelligence agencies looking to undertake espionage activities. He referred to initiatives such as the Colombo security conclave for cooperation among the like-minded countries in the maritime domain and that it could be expanded further.
5 point agenda on maritime security by the UNSC
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- Free maritime trade without barriers to establishing legitimate trade.
- Settlement of maritime disputes should be peaceful and on the basis of international law only.
- Responsible maritime connectivity should be encouraged.
- Need to collectively combat maritime threats posed by non-state actors and natural calamities.
- Preserve the maritime environment and maritime resources.
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