What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security. (UPSC CSE Mains 2022 - General Studies Paper 3)
There is no common definition of maritime security in international relations. Nonetheless, the term includes 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.
India has more than 7000 km long maritime border shared with seven nations. Instruments of maritime security protects the territorial sovereignty of nation from possible marine threats.
Maritime Security Issues
- Piracy: There is a persistent threat of pirate attacks on ships, especially around the Somali coast. This jeopardizes trade and commerce.
- Terrorism: International waters are used by terrorists to execute their operations. For instance, the 2008 Mumbai Attacks occurred due to a maritime security lapse.
- Illegal Migration: International Oceans are a better way to enter into another country’s territory than taking the land/air route. Thus, a higher degree of illegal migration happens through maritime waters.
- Transnational organized crimes: The waters are also used for transnational organized crimes that inflict significant harm on the global economy and jeopardize the security of the state.
- This includes illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, trafficking in persons, illicit trafficking in firearms, etc.
- Environmental catastrophes: The rising pollution level and climate change have enhanced the frequencies of cyclones, floods, etc. catastrophes across the world.
Initiatives
Organisational
- India launched security and growth for all (SAGAR) policy to integrated collaboration with Indian ocean region nations.
- India introduced the establishment of integrated theatre command.
- India set up an International fusion centre (IFC) for Indian ocean region in Gurugram.
- Recently quad launched Indo-pacific partnership for maritime domain awareness (IPMDA) for better coordination and awareness.
- India is part of various organisations and dialogue like IONS, IORA and India- EU maritime dialogue.
Technical
- Mission based deployment of naval ships and aircrafts. Like, INS Vikrant, Nuclear Submarines and project 75I etc.
- India is working on digital cargo and bay arrangement optimization to enhance efficiency of maritime security.
- India introduced advanced Electronic Warfare System ‘Shakti’ in Indian Navy.
- India used advance electronic and digital surveillance over the marine border.
Procedural
- Being signatory of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), India adheres all its rules and regulations.
- India follows the procedure of operational interactions with friendly nations via joint exclusive economic zones (EEZ) surveillance.
Looking Ahead
- Swift coordination and collaboration of various security institution is much needed. It can enhance the efficiency in maritime security services.
- Multilateral information sharing is key to prevent marine threats. So, there should be an integrated multilateral data sharing platform.
- Best practices of other marine nations should be shared among all friendly nations holistically.
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