Model Answer Vulnerability of India's Coasts to Unlawful Activities India’s vast coastline of over 7,516 km, spanning nine states and four union territories, makes it highly vulnerable to unlawful activities that threaten national security. These activities include: Smuggling and Illegal Trade: CoasRead more
Model Answer
Vulnerability of India’s Coasts to Unlawful Activities
India’s vast coastline of over 7,516 km, spanning nine states and four union territories, makes it highly vulnerable to unlawful activities that threaten national security. These activities include:
- Smuggling and Illegal Trade: Coastal routes are often exploited for smuggling drugs, gold, electronics, and counterfeit currency. For instance, in 2021, 2,988 kilograms of heroin were seized at Gujarat’s Mundra port.
- Terrorism: The porous nature of the coastline poses a security risk as it can serve as an entry point for terrorists. A notable example is the 2008 Mumbai attacks, where terrorists infiltrated the city via sea routes.
- Piracy: Piracy, particularly in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, threatens maritime trade routes. A recent example is the rescue of the hijacked vessel MV Ruen by INS Kolkata, which captured 35 pirates.
- Human Trafficking: The coastlines also serve as routes for human trafficking and illegal immigration, with individuals from Bangladesh and Myanmar illegally entering India through its eastern coast.
Current Coastal Security System
To address these security threats, India has implemented a robust security framework:
- Three-Tier Coastal Security Ring:
- The Indian Navy patrols the International Maritime Boundary Line.
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ensures surveillance up to 200 nautical miles.
- State Coastal Police handles boat patrols in shallow coastal areas.
- Joint Coastal Security Exercises: The bi-annual Sagar Kavach exercises involve multiple agencies, such as the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police, to validate coastal security effectiveness against asymmetric threats from the sea.
- Coastal Surveillance Network: A chain of sensors, including radars, Automatic Identification System (AIS), and cameras, is deployed at 46 coastal locations for surveillance.
- Community Interaction Programs: ICG engages with local fishers and coastal populations to increase awareness of security issues, making them the “Eyes and Ears” of coastal security.
Challenges
Despite these measures, challenges persist. A CAG report highlighted issues such as:
- Lack of nighttime patrolling.
- Inadequate training for marine police.
- Under-utilization of funds for basic infrastructure.
These gaps point to the need for continuous improvements to strengthen India’s coastal security system.
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Geospatial capabilities are dependent on geospatial data (data about objects, events, or phenomena that have a location on the surface of the earth). In the digital era, geospatial technologies are revolutionizing the economy. From navigating public transport to tracking supply chains and planning eRead more
Geospatial capabilities are dependent on geospatial data (data about objects, events, or phenomena that have a location on the surface of the earth). In the digital era, geospatial technologies are revolutionizing the economy. From navigating public transport to tracking supply chains and planning efficient delivery routes, digital services built on geospatial data have quietly become part of daily life and commerce. Given its significance, India has undertaken the following measures to boost its geospatial capabilities:
India’s focus on geospatial technologies is largely due to their varied application and significance in safeguarding the national security of India:
To further bolster its geospatial capabilities, India has signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Cooperation (BECA) with the USA enabling deep military cooperation between the two countries.
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