• The Indian Navy’s efforts seem focused primarily on monitoring Chinese activity in the Eastern Indian Ocean.

• In recent months, Indian naval ships have patrolled the Andaman Seas and eastern chokepoints to deter any maritime adventurism by Beijing.

• India has moved to expand its underwater detection capabilities in the Eastern chokepoints.

• Navy’s coverage of the Bay of Bengal littoral is already considerable.

• Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) was established in 2018 to effectively keep track of the shipping traffic as well as other critical developments in the IOR under a collaborative framework with like-minded countries

• New Delhi’s excessive focus on the continental sphere since Independence has not yielded great returns in terms of secure borders, healthy relations with its neighbours or deterrence stability vis-à-vis adversaries.

• It is time for India to change its grand strategic approach — by shifting its focus from the continental sphere to the maritime sphere.

• The work in this direction, both ideational and practical, needs to be fast-tracked to keep pace with the emerging realities and to make use of new opportunities.

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) established a new division to deal with the Indo-Pacific in April 2019.

• Unlike in the continental sphere, there is a growing great power interest in the maritime sphere, especially with the arrival of the concept of ‘Indo-Pacific’.

• The maritime space is a lot more important to China than engaging in land grab attempts in the Himalayas, due to the massive Chinese trade that happens via the Oceanic routes.

• Therefore, it is high time New Delhi shifted its almost exclusive focus from the continental space to the maritime space.

• Analysts fear that the next generation of PLAN nuclear submarines could be stealthier than ever, capable of beating adversary surveillance.

• There are apprehensions that China may already be mapping the undersea terrain in the approaches to the Indian Ocean Region.

• While cooperative information sharing allows for a joint evaluation of threats, countries do not always share vital information timeously.

3. jointly tackling maritime threats from non-state actors and natural disasters

4. Conservation of maritime envt and marine resources

Growing Chinese presence in IOR- String of Pearls, OBOR

Increased focus on Indo-Pacific (QUAD, AUKUS)

Economic: marine resources (Indian ocean rich in fisheries, mineral oils, PMNs, Oil and Natural gas)

Developing naval bases (India deal with Singapore to access Changi naval base; devlopmentt of Agalega port in Mauritius; secured access to Duqm port in Oman)

Military exercises (SLINEX, Malabar, Tri service command IN A&N)

International trade securing SLOCs esp choke points like SOH,BEM, SOM

Unlike Border Guarding forces falling under MHA, Indian Navy and ICG fall under MoD (coordination difficult)

overalapping functions (ICG==>responsible for security of
both territorial sea; while Indian Navy==>for security of both territorial sea + EEZ)

Responsibility for patrolling and surveillance of coastal areas up to 12 nm to State Coastal Police under 9 coastal states==>hence fragmentation of maritime border guarding

Ensuring Security of maritime borders not just primary duty of ICG

choke points==>Strait of Hormuz, Bab-El-MAndeb, Mozambique Channel, Strait of Malacca, Sunda strait and Lombok Strait)

It defi nes the rights, responsibilities and duties of world nations with regard to the use of the ocean, gives guidelines for sea trade, usage of ocean environment and management of marine natural resources

STRONG COASTAL
POLICE

MANAGEMENT OF
SEA RESOURCES

EMPLOYMENT OF
NAVAL FORCES

ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES

KEEPING
THE SEA LANES OF COMMUNICATION
(SLOC) FREE

NATURAL CALAMITIES

In this method, radar and satellite observations of local atmospheric conditions are processed and displayed rapidly by computers to project weather several hours in advance.

Nowcasting system to benefit various stakeholders, including coastal dwellers, fisherfolk, maritime industry, researchers, and agencies dealing with pollution, tourism, fisheries,and the coastal environment.

It is mandated to provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government agencies and the scientific community through sustained ocean observations and constant improvement through systematic and focused research.

The Indian Navy patrols the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), while the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is mandated to do patrolling and surveillance up to 200 nautical miles (i.e., Exclusive Economic Zone).

State Coastal/Marine Police (SCP/SMP) have jurisdiction up to 12 nautical miles from the coast; and the ICG and the Indian Navy have jurisdiction over the entire maritime zone (up to 200 nautical miles), including the territorial waters (with the SMP).

India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).

India would continue to enhance the maritime security capacities and economic resilience of friendly countries in IOR.

A more integrated and cooperative focus on the future of the IOR, which would enhance the prospects for the sustainable development of all countries in the region.

The primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the IOR would be on those “who live in this region”.

Sharing data on threats to commercial shipping is an important component of enhancing maritime security.

IFC is jointly administered by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

IFC serves the objective of generating Maritime Domain Awareness on safety and security issues.

Indian Navy participated robustly as part of a UNSC mandated 60-country Contact Group on Piracy off the coast of Somalia.

This includes not only shipbuilding and ship repair but also modernisation and hinterland connectivity through rail and road network for integrated development of both the coastal and the interior regions of India.

It is not just important to have ILOs in India, but also equally important that Indian Navy officers be posted at similar centers in other countries.

Proposals to post Indian Naval Liaison Officers (LO) at the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC), Madagascar, and the Regional Coordination Operations Centre, Seychelles, have been pending for more than two years.

Another proposal to post an LO at the European-led mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) in Abu Dhabi has also not been approved so far.

China’s regressive behaviour in the critical sea lanes in the South China Sea is the centre of the entire maritime security challenge.

Sustaining international cooperation to enhance maritime security requires two supportive frameworks in the policy and operational areas.

Rule-of-law Based Approach: There is a need to review the operational effectiveness of the UNCLOS, especially regarding the enforcement of its provisions on freedom of navigation, the sustainable exploitation of maritime resources, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Securing the Sea Lanes of Communication: Securing SLOCs that traverse the oceans is of central importance to enhancing maritime security.

India’s financial involvement in nearby countries like Sri Lanka and the Maldives. At the moment, India operates the “Maitri” and “Bharati” research stations in Antarctica.

Project Mausam, to re-establish connections and communication channels between nations surrounding the Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), to foster closer maritime ties between the navies of the Indian Ocean region’s coastal states.

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)– India can address maritime concerns thanks to close collaboration with IORA nations.

Sagarmala Initiative– With the Sagarmala project, India’s coastline will be surrounded by several ports.

Control of Choke Points: India can play a significant role in the security of this vast maritime space because it is equally distant from most of these choke points. The protection of Indian maritime interests depends on these. The risks to Indian energy imports through the Straits of Hormuz, for instance, were made clear by the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.

Threats to SLOCs include both conventional and non-traditional dangers, and the SLOCs in the IOR have historically been vulnerable to disruption.

Regional Uncertainty: Uncertainty in Somalia, Yemen, Iran, and other countries makes maritime security in the IOR more difficult.

The international community is concerned about Somalia-based piracy as a whole.

Trafficking: Regrettably, the world’s most notorious centres of drug production are located in the Indian Ocean region. Examples include the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent. The IOR is also infamous for other destabilizing activities like gunrunning and human trafficking.

Maritime Terrorism: Therefore, it is quite possible for rival interests to take advantage of this extensive maritime activity to launch attacks on land, as was seen in the Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11.

Extra Regional Military Presence: For India’s maritime security, the growing Chinese Navy and its acquisition of a base in Djibouti, access facilities in Malaysia, the “covert” base in Gwadar, and the recently announced maritime silk route are very concerning.

Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: IUU presents a threat to maritime security because it gives piracy a base of operations.

2. Resolution of Maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with intnl law

• The Navy is seeking to expand India’s surveillance footprint by setting up radar stations inthe Maldives, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Operation Tasha in 1990, which resulted in a layered concept of surveillance , with the objectives of preventing illegal immigration and the infiltration of LTTE militants to and from Sri Lanka;

Operation Swan was launched in 1993, in the immediate aftermath of the Mumbai bomb blasts. Its aim was to prevent clandestine landings of contraband and illegal infiltration along the Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts.

the Gol created the CMO in August 1974, and mandated it to conduct anti-smuggling operation. CMO was merged with the newly created organisation Indian Coast Guards in January 1982 to avoid the duplication of efforts.

A committee, under the chairmanship of K.F. Rustomji, was formed to look at the prospect of creating a coast guard as well as suggesting anti-smuggling measures.

IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships.

IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping.

Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

It has an integral role in meeting the targets set out in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Formation: It was established as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) in 1948, became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1959 and was renamed International Maritime Organization in 1982.

MARPOL
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.The MARPOL Convention was adopted on 2 November 1973 at IMO. The Convention includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations.

The work of the IMO is carried out by the IMO Secretariat, Member States, IGOs, and NGOs.

The daily operations of the IMO, including meeting coordination and preparation, is conducted by the IMO Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General and assisted by a staff of 300 international civil servants.

The Member States, IGOs, and NGOs are represented at the IMO during the various IMO meetings (Assembly, Council, 5 Committees, and 7 Sub-Committees)

Assembly: It is the highest Governing Body of the IMO. It consists of all Member States, and it meets once every two years in regular sessions. The Assembly is responsible for approving the work program, voting the budget and electing the Council.

Council: It is the Executive Organ of the IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.

Committees: The five policy-making committees are responsible for the development, review, updating, and approval of the organization’s guidelines and regulations.

Funding: Funding for the IMO comes from contributions by member states, as well as voluntary donations and commercial activities.

To deny hostile submarines freedom in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the northern Indian Ocean.

To protect India’s 5,600 km coastline, 1,800 km of island territories, and 2.37 million sq km exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The region’s hydrological conditions and the presence of strategic chokepoints like the Straits of Malacca amplify the need for a capable naval force to secure these waters.

Two-thirds of global trade, including oil, gas, and commodities, passes through Indian waters, necessitating submarine capabilities to secure maritime trade routes.

India plans to raise its 9.35% share of seafarers to 20% within 10-20 years.Thus,to achieve this objective, it is important to ensure better rights and protection for seafarers.

1) Poorly policed: The coastal countries have weak maritime forces, or none.

2) Concentration of shipping traffic: They are either choke points in shipping routes where ships are forced to converge or slow down by geography, or anchorages where ships remain stationary for days before entering port.

3) Poor governance or turmoil: This leads to unemployment, poverty and consequently, crime.

4) International waters: This makes them fall within the maritime jurisdiction of several countries. This leads to legal complexities and difficulties in coordination.

Causes panic in maritime business and leads to the establishment of high-risk areas.