Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Opening sentence: Start by introducing India’s geographical significance and its vast coastline (7,500+ km).
- Fact: India’s coastline stretches over 7,500 km, making it one of the most strategically important maritime nations. (Source: Indian Navy Annual Report)
- Context: Highlight why maritime security is crucial for India’s global trade and geopolitical positioning in the Indian Ocean.
2. Maritime Security Challenges
a) Terrorism and Piracy:
- Fact: The 26/11 Mumbai attacks were planned from the Arabian Sea, showing the vulnerability of India’s coastal security. (Source: Ministry of Defence, Government of India)
- Piracy threats, particularly from the Gulf of Aden, affect India’s western coastline and shipping routes.
b) Illegal Trafficking:
- Fact: Smuggling of arms, contraband, and human trafficking are prevalent in regions like the Sundarbans Delta and Palk Strait. (Source: National Crime Records Bureau)
- These illegal activities threaten both economic security and national integrity.
c) Border Disputes:
- Fact: India has maritime disputes, such as the Sir Creek dispute with Pakistan and the Katchatheevu Island dispute with Sri Lanka, which create security tensions. (Source: Ministry of External Affairs)
- Geopolitical conflicts stemming from these disputes increase the complexity of maritime security.
d) Natural Disasters:
- Fact: Cyclone Amphan (2020) and the 2004 Tsunami are examples of how natural disasters have devastated India’s coastline. (Source: National Disaster Management Authority)
- Highlight the vulnerability of coastal regions to cyclones, tsunamis, and rising sea levels.
3. Initiatives to Improve Maritime Security
a) Organizational Initiatives:
- Three-tier Coastal Security Framework: Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police work together to safeguard coastal regions. (Source: Indian Navy Annual Report)
- Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR): Established to promote information sharing and coordinate maritime security efforts.
- Fact: This initiative enhances coordination and timely intelligence sharing. (Source: Indian Navy Annual Report)
b) Technical Initiatives:
- Satellite Surveillance: ISRO satellites like Rukmini and GSAT-7A are employed to monitor maritime activities.
- Fact: These satellites provide real-time surveillance and situational awareness. (Source: Indian Space Research Organisation)
- AIS and Coastal Radar Systems: Used to track vessel movements and prevent unauthorized entry. (Source: Indian Space Research Organisation)
c) Procedural Initiatives:
- Coastal Security Exercises: Regular drills and simulations ensure coordination among agencies for rapid response to threats. (Source: Ministry of Home Affairs)
- Issuance of Biometric ID Cards for Fishermen: Prevents infiltration and illegal activities by identifying and monitoring legitimate fishermen. (Source: Ministry of Home Affairs)
4. Conclusion
- Reiterate that India’s maritime security is crucial due to its strategic location and vast coastline.
- Mention that while progress has been made with various initiatives, continuous adaptation to new threats is necessary for long-term security.
Maritime Security Challenges in India
**1. Organizational Challenges:
**2. Technical Challenges:
**3. Procedural Challenges:
Initiatives to Improve Maritime Security
**1. Organizational Initiatives:
**2. Technical Initiatives:
**3. Procedural Initiatives:
These initiatives aim to address the security challenges and enhance India’s maritime safety and surveillance capabilities.
Model Answer
Introduction
India, with a coastline exceeding 7,500 km and its pivotal location in the Indian Ocean, faces numerous maritime security challenges. These challenges are growing in importance due to the global relevance of maritime trade, energy transport, and regional geopolitics.
Maritime Security Challenges in India:
Terrorism and Piracy
India’s porous maritime borders are susceptible to terrorist infiltration, exemplified by the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, where terrorists exploited vulnerabilities along the Arabian Sea. Piracy originating from the Gulf of Aden also threatens shipping routes near India’s western coast.
Illegal Trafficking
Smuggling of contraband, arms, and human trafficking via maritime routes is a persistent problem. Areas like the Sundarbans Delta and Palk Strait between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka are hotspots for such illicit activities.
Border Disputes
India’s maritime boundaries are contested in certain regions, such as the Sir Creek dispute with Pakistan and the Katchatheevu Island dispute with Sri Lanka, which exacerbate geopolitical tensions.
Natural Disasters
Cyclones and tsunamis pose significant risks to India’s coastline, as demonstrated by Cyclone Amphan (2020) and the 2004 Tsunami, which affected eastern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Initiatives to Improve Maritime Security
Organizational
India has developed a robust three-tier security system, consisting of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police. The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) was also established to enhance real-time information sharing.
Technical
Advanced satellite surveillance systems such as ISRO’s Rukmini and GSAT-7A, along with radar and Automated Identification Systems (AIS), have been deployed to monitor coastal activities effectively.
Procedural
Coastal security exercises are regularly conducted to ensure inter-agency coordination. Additionally, biometric ID cards for fishermen are issued to prevent illegal activities and infiltration.
Conclusion
India’s maritime security challenges are diverse and complex, necessitating comprehensive responses. Through organizational, technical, and procedural innovations, India has strengthened its maritime security framework, but continuous efforts are required to keep pace with evolving threats.