Why is maritime security vital to protect India's sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.

I. Why Maritime Security is Vital to Protect India's Sea Trade

Maritime security is paramount for India's sea trade due to several interconnected reasons:

• Economic Lifeline: As highlighted, the vast majority of India's EXIM (Exports and Imports) trade transits through sea lanes. Unhindered maritime trade ensures the steady flow of essential goods, energy resources (like crude oil), and raw materials, underpinning economic growth and industrial activity. Disruptions can lead to significant economic losses and supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Energy Security: India imports a substantial portion of its energy requirements via sea. Secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) are critical to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, which are vital for the nation's economy and development.
• Blue Economy Potential: India's "Blue Economy" vision, as part of the SAGAR initiative, seeks to harness ocean resources for sustainable development, including fisheries, offshore energy, and marine tourism. Robust maritime security is essential to protect these assets and foster economic growth in this sector. India's EEZ holds substantial economic value through fisheries yielding over 5 million metric tons annually, potential hydrocarbon reserves, and seabed minerals.
• Protection of Maritime Infrastructure: Ports, offshore oil rigs, undersea cables, and other critical maritime infrastructure are vital for trade and national functioning. Maritime security protects these assets from sabotage, piracy, and other threats.
• International Reputation and Trade Confidence: A secure maritime environment enhances India's reliability as a trading partner and a responsible maritime power, attracting foreign investment and boosting confidence in its trade routes.

II. Maritime and Coastal Security Challenges

India faces a complex array of challenges across its maritime and coastal domains, requiring multi-layered responses:

A. Maritime Security Challenges (beyond territorial waters)

• Piracy and Armed Robbery: While piracy in the Somali Basin had seen a decline, incidents have resurged in the early 2020s, with various incidents of piracy and hijacking in the Somali basin continuing to increase in November 2023. This directly threatens commercial shipping in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The International Maritime Bureau reported 120 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships globally in 2023.
• Maritime Terrorism: The 26/11 Mumbai attacks (2008) underscored the vulnerability of India's coast to maritime terrorism, highlighting the potential for non-state actors to use sea routes for infiltration and attacks on coastal cities and strategic installations.
• Smuggling and Illegal Trafficking: The vastness of the sea makes it a conduit for illicit trade in arms, narcotics, human trafficking, and contraband, impacting national security and economic stability.
• Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: Foreign fishing vessels engaging in IUU fishing within India's EEZ deplete marine resources, affect the livelihoods of local fishermen, and pose surveillance challenges.
• Navigational Safety and Accidents: Congested shipping lanes and adverse weather conditions can lead to collisions and environmental disasters, such as oil spills, which require coordinated response mechanisms.
• Geopolitical Rivalries: Growing presence of extra-regional powers in the IOR, particularly China's expanding maritime influence, poses strategic challenges and necessitates a strong Indian naval presence and robust partnerships.

B. Coastal Security Challenges (within territorial waters and coastal areas)

• Porous Coastline and Island Vulnerabilities: India's long coastline, numerous creeks, and scattered island territories (Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep) make comprehensive surveillance and patrolling difficult. There are 1,382 offshore islands.
• Lack of Integrated Surveillance: Despite efforts, achieving a "near gapless" surveillance of the entire coastline remains a challenge, particularly in identifying and tracking smaller fishing vessels amidst heavy traffic.
• Coordination Gaps: The involvement of multiple agencies (Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, Customs, Fisheries, State Police) at various levels can lead to coordination issues, despite established protocols and committees.
• Fishermen Community Engagement: While fishermen are considered the "eyes and ears" of coastal security, issues like inadequate communication infrastructure, lack of biometric ID cards (though efforts are ongoing), and sometimes disaffection can hinder effective intelligence gathering.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Despite schemes, some coastal police stations, jetties, and surveillance equipment may still require modernization and better maintenance, especially for shallow water patrolling.
• Emerging Threats: The increasing use of drones for reconnaissance or potential attacks, as highlighted by Indian Navy officials in November 2024, adds a new dimension to coastal security challenges.

III. The Way Forward

Addressing India's maritime and coastal security challenges requires a multi-pronged, cooperative, and technologically advanced approach:

• Strengthening the Three-Tier Security Grid:
  • Indian Navy: Responsible for overall maritime security, including offshore and coastal security, and acting as the "net security provider" in the IOR.
  • Indian Coast Guard (ICG): Responsible for coastal security in territorial waters, including coordination with coastal police. The ICG plays a vital role in law enforcement, search and rescue, and marine environment protection. There are 42 Coast Guard stations along the coastline.
  • Coastal Police Force (Marine Police): Strengthened under the Coastal Security Scheme (CSS), responsible for patrolling shallow waters close to the coast.
• Enhancing Surveillance and Information Sharing:
  • National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network (NC3I): Operationalizing and strengthening this network for real-time maritime domain awareness.
  • Coastal Radar Chain and Automatic Identification System (AIS): Expanding and integrating these systems for better tracking of vessels.
  • Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR): Continuously leveraging this Gurugram-based centre (established 2018) for intelligence sharing and maritime domain awareness with partner nations.
• Legislative and Policy Frameworks:
  • Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022: Effective implementation of this act, which provides legal backing for Indian security forces to board suspicious vessels and apprehend pirates.
  • UNCLOS: Adherence to and promotion of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to ensure freedom of navigation and responsible resource management.
• Capacity Building and Modernization:
  • Modernization of Forces: Continuous upgrade of naval and coast guard assets, including ships, aircraft, and surveillance technologies (e.g., drones, satellite imagery).
  • Training: Enhanced and specialized training for Marine Police personnel at institutions like the National Academy of Coastal Policing (Gujarat).
• Community Participation:
  • Fishermen as "Eyes and Ears": Strengthening Community Interaction Programmes (CIPs) to build trust, provide safety and security awareness, and facilitate information flow from fishing communities. Issuance of biometric ID cards for fishermen.
• International and Regional Cooperation:
  • SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Vision: India's overarching framework for maritime cooperation in the IOR, focusing on enhancing maritime security, promoting sustainable use of ocean resources, and building capacity of littoral states.
  • Bilateral and Multilateral Exercises: Regular joint exercises (e.g., 'Sagar Kavach', 'Sea Vigil', Malabar, MILAN) with friendly navies and coast guards to improve interoperability and response mechanisms. The Indian Navy conducted its fourth Coastal Defence Exercise 'Sea Vigil-24' in November 2024.
  • Collaboration with IORA, IONS, QUAD: Actively engaging in regional forums to address shared maritime challenges like piracy, terrorism, and disaster management.
• Port Security Enhancements:
  • Implementing international standards like the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
  • Installing Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) at major ports for better monitoring and control.