Sansad TV: Indian Maritime security concerns | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Shift from Continental Strategies to the Maritime Sphere

• Transition from land-focused strategies to maritime strategies is crucial for India due to several reasons:
• While India faces constraints in the continental domain due to China-Pakistan dynamics, the maritime sphere offers greater freedom for coalition-building and strategic initiatives.
• The maritime realm attracts significant global interest, especially with the emergence of the 'Indo-Pacific' concept.
• Unlike the limited interest in India's land borders, major powers are actively engaged in maritime affairs, especially post the Indo-Pacific narrative.
• Recent actions by countries like Germany and France in the Indo-Pacific signify a shift in global focus towards maritime issues.
• Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea has spurred collaborative efforts among Western powers and regional countries, opening avenues for India to counterbalance Chinese influence.
• Maritime routes are of greater strategic significance to China compared to border disputes, given their reliance on sea-based trade and the vulnerability of maritime chokepoints.
• Organizations like BIMSTEC offer India strategic leverage as key connectors between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, aligning with both Chinese and Indian interests.
• Collaborative initiatives such as the 'Quad' and enhanced naval exercises present opportunities for India to strengthen regional partnerships and shape the maritime future.

Importance of the Indian Ocean for India

• Significance of the Indian Ocean for India:
• With a vast coastline stretching over 7,500 km, India naturally emphasizes maritime security.
• The Indian Ocean hosts critical Sea Lanes Of Communication (SLOCs) vital for energy security and economic prosperity, connecting major trade hubs.
• These SLOCs include routes like Bab al-Mandab, Strait of Hormuz, and Straits of Malacca, essential for global trade and energy transportation.
• The Indian Ocean region facilitates 75% of global maritime trade and 50% of daily oil consumption worldwide.

Other Advantages of a Robust Maritime Strategy

• Benefits of a strong maritime strategy for India include:
• Protection against sea-based threats to India's territorial integrity.
• Ensuring stability in India's maritime neighborhood.
• Fostering a 'Blue Economy' by managing and preserving maritime resources and infrastructure.
• Promoting and safeguarding India's seaborne trade routes and ports, crucial for economic prosperity.
• Supporting marine research efforts, including activities in Antarctica and the Arctic.
• Ensuring comprehensive maritime security to safeguard against threats originating from or within the sea.
• Providing assistance and options for the Indian Diaspora in times of need.
• Securing and enhancing India's geostrategic maritime position within the region.

Conclusion

• India faces diverse and complex challenges and opportunities in maritime security.
• The Indian Navy, supported by the Coast Guard, has demonstrated competence in the Indian Ocean region during crises like the 2004 Tsunami.
• It is imperative for India to develop a maritime strategy aligned with its core maritime interests to achieve geo-economic goals in the evolving maritime landscape.
• An 'interest-based approach' should guide India's maritime strategy, acknowledging the growing importance of the maritime domain for achieving strategic objectives in the 21st century.