GS Question

Maritime security challenges in India are multifaceted and can be categorized into various dimensions such as terrorism, piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, and territorial disputes. India's long coastline, extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and strategic location in the Indian Ocean make it vulnerable to both traditional and non-traditional maritime security threats. Some of the key challenges are:

1. Terrorism: India faces the threat of terrorism emanating from both domestic and international sources. Terrorist organizations exploit the porous maritime borders to infiltrate the country, smuggle weapons, and carry out attacks.

2. Piracy: The Indian Ocean has witnessed a significant rise in piracy incidents, especially around the Gulf of Aden. Pirates target commercial vessels, endangering crew members' lives and causing economic losses.

3. Illegal Fishing: India's coastal waters suffer from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices by foreign vessels. This depletes fish stocks, affects the livelihood of local fishermen, and undermines India's food security.

4. Smuggling: The maritime routes are commonly used for smuggling narcotics, arms, and contraband goods. These activities pose a significant threat to national security and public health.

5. Territorial Disputes: India has ongoing territorial and maritime boundary disputes with countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and China. These disputes can lead to conflicts, raising security concerns.

To address these challenges, India has implemented various initiatives at the organizational, technical, and procedural levels:

1. Organizational Initiatives:

- Indian Navy: The Indian Navy is the primary force responsible for ensuring maritime security. It undertakes patrolling, surveillance, and interdiction operations to counter threats. It also conducts joint exercises with other navies to enhance coordination.

- Indian Coast Guard (ICG): The ICG plays a crucial role in safeguarding India's maritime interests. It conducts search and rescue operations, maritime patrol, and enforcement of maritime laws to counter smuggling, piracy, and illegal fishing.

- Marine Police: State-level marine police forces work in coordination with the navy and coast guard to enforce maritime regulations and combat maritime crimes.

2. Technical Initiatives:

- Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN): India has established a network of coastal surveillance radars to monitor its maritime borders. The CSN provides real-time data on vessel movements, enabling quick response to potential threats.

- Automatic Identification System (AIS): AIS is mandated for all vessels operating in Indian waters. It helps track and identify vessels, ensuring transparency and reducing the risk of illicit activities.

3. Procedural Initiatives:

- Joint Maritime Information Exchange: India actively participates in information-sharing initiatives with regional and international maritime organizations. This collaboration enhances situational awareness and enables coordinated action against threats.

- Legal Framework: India has enacted stringent maritime laws to combat various illegal activities. These include the Coast Guard Act, Anti-Piracy Act, and the Maritime Zones of India Act.

In conclusion, maritime security challenges in India require a comprehensive approach encompassing both preventive and responsive measures. The organizational initiatives of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and marine police, along with technical tools like the Coastal Surveillance Network and Automatic Identification System, significantly contribute to ensuring maritime security. The procedural initiatives such as information-sharing and robust legal frameworks enhance India's capability to tackle maritime threats effectively.