India’s coastal security enterprise, a multi-tiered defence structure along the coastline, comprises of several entities including the Indian Navy (IN), the Coast Guard (ICG), and marine police. These forces work collaboratively to safeguard India’s maritime zone. A host of measures such as the creation of coastal police stations, surveillance infrastructure under the Coastal Security Scheme (CSS), radar stations, Automatic Identification Systems and Joint Operation Centres (JOCs) have been implemented. Additionally, intelligence networks aid in effective monitoring of maritime activity in the near-seas.
Exercise Sea Vigil
In January 2019, Exercise Sea Vigil was coordinated by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, marking the largest coastal defence exercise off the Indian coast. This exercise forms a part of the larger theatre-level ‘Readiness Operational Exercise’ (TROPEX), carried out by the Indian Navy every two years. Conducted on both the eastern and western coasts simultaneously, the objective of this exercise is to test the coastal safety measures put in place following the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Concerns Related to Coastal Security
However, despite these stringent measures, approximately 10% of simulated attacks launched during the Exercise Sea Vigil were successful in breaching the defences. The concerns arising from such breaches are manifold. Vessels like small boats which are less than 20 m in length are still devoid of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), leading to major safety issues. AIS automatically provides vessel information to other ships and coastal authorities, aiding in identification and communication.
Furthermore, inadequately equipped maritime police forces and lack of proper training and motivation among maritime policemen also compound the issue. Delays in upgrading coastal security infrastructure, a glaring shortage of manpower, shortfall in patrolling efforts, and incomplete construction of jetties under the “Coastal Security Scheme” are other prevalent issues.
| Concerns with Coastal Security |
|---|
| Lack of AIS in smaller boats |
| Ill-equipped maritime police forces |
| Slow pace of upgrading infrastructure |
| Shortage of manpower |
| Inadequate training for marine police |
Way Forward
Plans are in place to address these concerns. The threat from smaller rogue boats is likely to be countered through a satellite-guided friend-or-foe identification system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation that includes a two-way messaging system in all local languages. Additionally, retiring sailors could be enlisted to support state maritime police forces, leveraging their experience and expertise.
Inclusion of fishermen and coastal communities in the overall coastal security plan can also prove beneficial as they act as ‘eyes and ears’ for security agencies. Capacity building measures for the maritime police force matching those of other maritime security agencies like Navy and Coast Guard should be implemented.
Improvements are being envisaged in the form of upgraded coastal security infrastructure fortified by modern equipment and gadgets. A proposal to replace existing state maritime police forces with a National Maritime Police (NMP) under the Union Home Ministry’s jurisdiction is also under consideration.
Coastal Security Scheme (CSS): Bolstering Infrastructure
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is administering a comprehensive Coastal Security Scheme (CSS) to fortify the security infrastructure along India’s coastline. Phase-I of this scheme (2005-2011) and Phase-II (2011-2020) have been implemented based on vulnerability/gap analysis. Through the CSS, coastal states/union territories have been endowed with 204 coastal police stations, 60 jetties, 429 boats, 284 four-wheelers, 554 two-wheelers, 97 checkpoints, 58 outposts, and 30 barracks. Regular coastal security exercises including Sea Vigil and the bi-annual Sagar Kavach will continue to review and assess the security landscape.