Centre inks ₹5,000-cr. deal to strengthen maritime security

Strengthening Maritime Security through a ₹5,000-crore Initiative

India's recent ₹5,000-crore deal for maritime security reflects the essential tension between regional security imperatives and global maritime stability. As maritime threats evolve—from piracy to geopolitical contestations—the move signals a proactive approach to safeguarding maritime borders. This intervention pivots on strategic procurement, technological modernization, and enhancing institutional capacity, all embedded within the ambit of India’s Blue Economy aspirations and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

Geopolitically, this development aligns with the Indo-Pacific strategy, emphasizing deterrence, securing critical sea lanes of communication (SLOCs), and strengthening India's role as a responsible maritime nation. It is also a response to growing concerns over Chinese naval activities in the Indian Ocean and the vulnerability of India’s extensive coastline.

UPSC Relevance Snapshot

• GS-III: Internal and external security, technology in defense, India's maritime strategy, border management.
• GS-II: International relations—Indo-Pacific strategy, SAGAR vision, and multilateral engagements.
• Essays: Indian defense preparedness, maritime geopolitics, and integrating the Blue Economy with strategic security.

Institutional Framework: Actors and Mechanisms

The ₹5,000-crore allocation is embedded within multi-layered institutional frameworks involving central security agencies, defense PSUs, and regional cooperative initiatives. This approach reinforces India's maritime security capacity through integrated, technology-driven solutions and policy convergence among central and state-level stakeholders.

• Key institutions:
  • Indian Navy: Leading maritime security operations and managing offshore deployments.
  • Indian Coast Guard (ICG): Coastal surveillance, anti-piracy measures, and search-and-rescue operations.
  • Ministry of Defence (MoD): Strategic procurement and fund allocation.
  • DRDO: Developing indigenous sonar systems, radar, and AI-based maritime reconnaissance tools.
• Legal provisions:
  • The Maritime Zones Act, 1976: Demarcates India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
  • The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification: Defines coastal resource use and management.
  • UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea): Anchors India's global maritime rights and obligations.
• Funding framework:
  • ₹5,000 crore from central grants under the Defense Procurement Procedure (DPP), 2020.
  • Focus on domestic manufacturing under "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" and indigenization of naval systems.

Key Issues and Challenges

1. Capability Gaps in Maritime Security Infrastructure

• Inadequate fleet: India's navy fleet has just 175 warships, compared to China's 355, creating an asymmetry. (Source: IISS Military Balance 2023)
• Coastal surveillance: Existing radar chains like the Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) lack penetration in deep-sea waters.
• Technological lag: Dependence on imports for advanced radar, sonar, and unmanned systems hampers self-reliance.

2. Jurisdictional Overlaps

• Centre-State dichotomy: States' role in coastal policing often leads to operational delays and jurisdictional conflict.
• Multiplicity of agencies: Overlap between the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and local administrations diminishes accountability.

3. Emerging Threat Landscape

• Geopolitical contests: Chinese naval expansion in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) threatens India’s strategic depth.
• Non-traditional threats: Maritime piracy, smuggling, and environmental disasters like oil spills require multi-capacity responses.
• Cyber vulnerability: With increased digitalization of naval systems, cyberattacks could cripple maritime defense logistics.

Global Comparison: Maritime Security Practices

To benchmark India's efforts, it is instructive to contrast them with other maritime powers. The table below offers a comparative snapshot:

Country	Defense Maritime Budget Allocation (2023)	Surveillance Infrastructure	Global Naval Ranking (Based on fleet size)
India	13% of total defense budget	Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN)—partial coverage	7th
China	22% of total defense budget	Extensive Deep-Sea Surveillance networks	1st
USA	21% of total defense budget	Integrated global maritime surveillance system	2nd

Critical Evaluation

While the ₹5,000-crore initiative marks a commendable step towards maritime modernization, the reliance on imported technology undermines India's "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" agenda. The asymmetric fleet size vis-à-vis China emphasizes India's relative vulnerability in the sensitive Indo-Pacific. Moreover, the fragmented nature of institutional response systems necessitates enhanced central coordination.

India's adherence to UNCLOS and regional cooperation under initiatives like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) provide an opportunity for collective resource sharing. Nonetheless, embedding cyber-resilience within maritime defense remains an underexplored area that could emerge as a future threat vector.

Structured Assessment

• Policy Design: While the initiative achieves financial outlay and objective clarity, there is a need for granular timelines and a strategy for inland and coastal integration.
• Governance Capacity: Jurisdictional overlaps involving Centre-State and operational agencies weaken the delivery mechanism of coastal surveillance and response systems.
• Structural/Bureaucratic Factors: The absence of a unified maritime task force creates ambiguities in multi-agency frameworks central to the security matrix.

Way Forward

To enhance India's maritime security framework, several actionable policy recommendations can be considered:

• Strengthen inter-agency coordination by establishing a unified maritime task force to streamline operations across the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and local administrations.
• Invest in indigenous technology development to reduce reliance on imports for advanced maritime surveillance and defense systems.
• Enhance coastal surveillance capabilities by expanding the Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) to ensure comprehensive coverage of deep-sea waters.
• Implement regular training and capacity-building programs for state-level agencies involved in coastal policing to mitigate jurisdictional conflicts.
• Foster regional collaborations with neighboring countries to address non-traditional maritime threats, such as piracy and environmental disasters.

Practice Questions

Prelims

1. What is the primary legal framework governing India’s maritime boundaries?
   1. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
   2. Unified Command Act
   3. UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)
   4. Indian Ocean Rim Treaty
   Answer: C
2. Which initiative aligns with India's maritime vision for regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean?
   1. SAARC Framework
   2. Blue Economy Mission
   3. SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
   4. PESCO Treaty
   Answer: C

Mains

Q: "India's efforts to modernize maritime security are challenged by capability gaps, jurisdictional conflicts, and an evolving threat landscape." Critically evaluate this statement with reference to the ₹5,000-crore initiative. (250 words)