UPSC 2022 Mains GS3 Model Answer - What are the maritime security challenges in India ? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security.

India faces numerous maritime security challenges, including piracy, smuggling, and territorial disputes, which threaten its vast coastline and maritime interests. To address these issues, the government has implemented a range of organizational, technical, and procedural initiatives aimed at enhancing maritime security.

Model Answer:

 India, with its extensive coastline of over 7,500 kilometers, views the seas as both a source of opportunity and a critical security frontier. The maritime domain is vital for trade, energy supplies, and strategic interests, but it also presents significant security challenges.

Maritime Security Challenges:

1. State-based Threats: Geopolitical tensions, particularly with neighboring countries like China and Pakistan, pose significant threats. The presence of Chinese naval forces in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is a growing concern.
2. Non-State Threats: Piracy, terrorism, and smuggling are persistent issues. The 2008 Mumbai attacks highlighted vulnerabilities to seaborne terrorism.
3. Resource Protection: Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing depletes marine resources, impacting food security and livelihoods.
4. Limited Capacities: India's maritime infrastructure and surveillance capabilities need enhancement to effectively monitor and secure its vast maritime domain.
5. Focus on the Wrong Threat: Sometimes, disproportionate focus on traditional threats can lead to neglect of emerging non-traditional threats like cyber-attacks on maritime infrastructure.

Organisational, Technical, and Procedural Initiatives:

1. Improving Coordination: The establishment of the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) and the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) project enhances inter-agency coordination.
2. Technological Upgrades: Deployment of coastal radar chains, Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), and satellite surveillance improves maritime situational awareness.
3. Legal Framework: The Maritime Security Act and amendments to the Coast Guard Act strengthen legal provisions for maritime security.
4. International Cooperation: India engages in joint naval exercises like Malabar, and collaborates with regional forums like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to bolster collective security.
5. Capacity Building: Initiatives like the Sagarmala project aim to modernize ports and enhance coastal infrastructure, thereby improving overall maritime security.

Additional Organisational and Operational Improvements:

1. Blue Economy: Promoting sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.
2. Training and Human Resources: Regular training programs and capacity-building exercises for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard personnel.
3. Research and Development: Investment in R&D for advanced maritime technologies and indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
4. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating coastal communities about maritime security and involving them in surveillance efforts.

In conclusion, maritime security is crucial for India's national security and economic prosperity. A future-oriented, integrated approach that addresses both traditional and emerging threats is essential to safeguard India's maritime interests.

‍

✅ Now that you have gone through the model answer, try practicing and writing it in your own words and evaluate it instantly with SuperKalam here - Evaluate Mains Answer instantly

‍