Q.20 Why is maritime security vital to protect India’s sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward. (UPSC CSE 2025, GS PAPER-3) (Answer in 250 words,15 marks)

The Introduction:

Maritime security involves protecting vessels, ports, infrastructure, and maritime routes from threats like piracy, terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, and human trafficking. It is a broad concept encompassing national security, environmental protection, and the facilitation of safe and efficient global trade by safeguarding maritime interests and ensuring secure navigation.

The Body:

Maritime security is vital for India because the country relies on safe and free access to sea routes for its international trade, energy imports, and economic growth. Disruption in maritime security directly impacts India’s commerce and strategic interests.

Importance of maritime security for India’s sea trade:

• • Trade lifeline: Over 90% of India’s international trade by volume and 70% by value moves through the sea, making secure sea lanes essential for imports and exports.
  • Energy security: Most of India’s oil and gas imports are shipped via strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and Malacca Strait, so blockades or attacks in these areas can jeopardize the energy supply.
  • Protection of ports and infrastructure: India’s economy depends on ports and coastal infrastructure, which require protection from terror attacks, environmental threats, and criminal activity.
  • Economic stability: Ocean-based industries like fisheries, tourism, and shipping fuel coastal economies and livelihoods, especially for fishing communities.

Maritime and coastal security challenges:

• • Piracy and sea robbery: Increased activity in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea poses risks to shipping and trade vessels.
  • Terrorism and coastal infiltration: The 2008 Mumbai attacks exposed gaps in coastal surveillance, highlighting vulnerabilities that can be exploited for infiltration and arms smuggling.
  • Chokepoint vulnerabilities: Strategic dependence on critical waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, Malacca, and Bab-el-Mandeb exposes India’s sea trade to blockades, state-sponsored disruption, or geopolitical conflict.
  • Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing: Foreign fishing vessels deplete marine resources and threaten food security and fishermen’s livelihoods.
  • Smuggling and narco-terrorism: Maritime routes are exploited for smuggling drugs, arms, and trafficking people, financing organized crime and terrorism.
  • Technological and infrastructural gaps: Outdated surveillance equipment, poor infrastructure, and coordination deficits among agencies hamper effective response.
  • Cybersecurity threats: Increased use of digital systems in ports and shipping raises risks of cyberattacks that could disrupt operations and trade.
  • Environmental and climate risks: Rising sea levels, cyclones, coastal erosion, and pollution threaten infrastructure and coastal communities.

Way forward:

Organisational:

• • Coastal security network:India has set up a three-tier security layer including the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police.
  • Indian Naval ships and aircraft are regularly deployed on ‘Mission Based Deployments’ in Indian Ocean Region to enhance maritime security.
  • Information fusion centre: Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR): Established to enhance maritime security information sharing.
  • Strengthening inter-agency coordination: Improve cooperation between Indian Navy, Coast Guard, marine police, and intelligence agencies; implement centralized command structures and integrated operations.

Technical:

• • Satellite surveillance:ISRO’s satellites like Rukmini and GSAT-7A assist in maritime surveillance.
  • Modernizing surveillance: Investment in advanced radar networks, satellite monitoring, UAVs, and digital infrastructure is needed for real-time coastal and maritime domain awareness.
  • Automatic Identification System (AIS) and radar systems:Installed to track maritime activities in real-time.

Procedural:

• • Regular coastal security exercises:Conducted to ensure operational readiness and coordination among different agencies.
  • Issuance of Biometric ID cards:For fishermen to prevent infiltration and illegal activities.
  • Community involvement: Engage local fishermen and coastal populations as “eyes and ears” to report suspicious activity and strengthen human intelligence.
  • Legal and regulatory upgrades: Enforce strict laws against smuggling, piracy, IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, and build resilience against cyber threats in maritime infrastructure.

International collaborations:

• • International collaboration: Participate in multilateral maritime security initiatives (e.g., IONS, Malabar Exercise, SAGAR doctrine) and work with regional partners for enhanced information-sharing and joint operations.
  • Operational interactions with friendly foreign countries include activities like Joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Surveillance, Coordinated Patrols on annual / bi-annual basis along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), Maritime Exercises, etc.

Environment and sustainability:

• • Environment and sustainability: Integrate climate and environmental risk management into maritime security strategy to protect coastal assets and ecosystems.

The Conclusion:

Securing the seas is fundamental to India’s trade, economic stability, and strategic autonomy. A multi-layered approach, anchored in technology, inter-agency coordination, community engagement, and international cooperation, is crucial to address ongoing and emerging maritime security challenges.