What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security.

With a 7,500 km coastline, 1,300-plus islands and 90% of trade by volume seaborne, India's maritime domain is vital yet exposed to diverse security challenges, sharpened after the 26/11 attacks that came by sea.

Maritime security challenges

• Sea-borne terrorism, piracy and armed robbery, especially off the Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden.
• Smuggling, narco-trafficking and gun-running along coastal routes.
• Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and territorial disputes in the Indian Ocean.
• Chinese naval expansion, the String of Pearls, and threats to sea lines of communication.

Organisational initiatives

• Three-tier coastal security by the Navy, Coast Guard and marine police; the Navy designated as overall authority for coastal security.
• Establishment of the National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security.

Technical initiatives

• Coastal radar chains, the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC), automatic identification systems and vessel-tracking of fishing boats.

Procedural initiatives

• Colour-coded biometric ID cards for fishermen, registration of vessels, joint coastal patrolling and exercises like Sea Vigil, plus regional cooperation and anti-piracy escorts.

A layered, technology-enabled and cooperative framework is steadily strengthening India's maritime security, though seamless inter-agency coordination remains the key.