Summary
India possesses a coastline of over 7,500 kilometres and depends heavily on maritime trade for economic growth and energy security. Despite significant improvements after the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, gaps remain in surveillance integration, inter-agency coordination, and emerging technological capabilities. This policy brief recommends strengthening Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) through advanced technologies, enhanced information sharing, and regional cooperation.
Analysis & Briefing
The Indian Ocean has become increasingly contested due to: • Growing geopolitical competition • Expanding Chinese naval presence • Maritime terrorism • Illegal fishing • Smuggling • Human trafficking • Climate-related maritime emergencies These challenges require India to maintain continuous maritime situational awareness.
Reference
Maritime Security • Indian Ocean • Coastal Security • AI Surveillance • Maritime Domain Awareness