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Maritime security

Maritime Security in India’s External Challenges

Introduction
Maritime security is a very important part of India’s overall National security. As
a country surrounded by water on three sides, with a long coastline of over
7,500 kilometres, India’s prosperity, safety, and global position are deeply
connected to the seas. The Indian Ocean is not just a large body of water for
India – it is the heart of its trade routes, energy supplies, and strategic
interests.
For a long time, India’s main security focus was on its land borders with
Pakistan and China. However, in recent years, there has been a growing
understanding that the oceans around India are equally important. The threats
to India’s maritime security do not just come from wars but also from terrorism,
piracy, smuggling, and the actions of powerful countries like China. India’s
neighbourhood plays a very big role in shaping these challenges. This paper
explains why maritime security is important, what challenges India faces in its
neighbourhood, and how India is responding to them.

Body

What is Maritime Security and Why is it Important for India?

Maritime security is about keeping the seas safe for trade, protecting ships,
preventing illegal activities like piracy and terrorism, and making sure that no
country uses the seas to threaten others. For India, maritime security is
important for several reasons:
● Trade and Economy: Almost 90% of India’s trade by volume and 70%
by value happens through the sea. Oil, gas, and other imports come
through ships. Any problem at sea can damage India’s economy.
● Energy Security: India imports around 80% of its oil through ships.
Protecting the sea routes is essential to keep the economy running.
● Geographical Advantage: India’s location in the Indian Ocean gives it
a special position to control key sea lanes of communication (SLOCs)
that connect the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
● Non-Traditional Threats: Piracy, maritime terrorism (like the 26/11
Mumbai attacks), human and drug trafficking, and climate change
impact India’s maritime security.
● National Security: A weak presence at sea makes India vulnerable to
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threats from neighbours and external powers.

Maritime Challenges from India’s Neighbourhood

(a) China’s Growing Naval Power
● China’s “String of Pearls” strategy involves building ports and bases
across the Indian Ocean, including at Gwadar (Pakistan),
Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Kyaukpyu (Myanmar), and the Maldives.
● China has been sending its navy, including submarines, into the Indian
Ocean. This challenges India’s traditional naval dominance.
● The fear is that China could use these bases to “surround” India in
times of conflict and control the sea routes.
(b) Pakistan’s Naval Capabilities
● Pakistan is modernising its navy, focusing on submarines that can help
in a sea-denial strategy (making the sea unsafe for others).
● Gwadar port, built with Chinese help, is Pakistan’s main base for its
navy and could be used in conflict with India.
● However, Pakistan’s navy is still much smaller than India’s and has
many weaknesses like funding and maintenance issues.
(c) Smaller Neighbours: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles, and Mauritius
● These island nations are important for India’s security because of their
location.
● However, they are vulnerable to external influences, especially China,
which offers loans and infrastructure projects (like Hambantota port in
Sri Lanka).
● Political instability or external interference in these countries can
create problems for India’s security.
(d) Non-Traditional Threats
● Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia affects Indian shipping.
● Terrorism by sea: The 26/11 Mumbai attacks showed how terrorists
can use the sea to attack India.
● Drug trafficking and smuggling through the Indian Ocean is a
growing problem.
● Climate Change: Rising sea levels threaten countries like Maldives,
leading to climate refugees and possible regional instability.

India’s Maritime Strategy and Response

India has started taking maritime security more seriously. Some key steps
include:
(a) Policy Frameworks
● SAGAR Doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region): India’s
approach to ensure safe seas, help neighbours with capacity building,
and promote economic growth.
 ● Act East Policy: Expanding India’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific
region, connecting India to Southeast Asia and beyond.
● Indo-Pacific Vision: India supports a “free, open, and inclusive Indo-
Pacific” where sea routes are not controlled by any single power.
(b) Naval Modernisation
● India is building new ships, submarines (like Scorpene class), and
aircraft carriers (like INS Vikrant) to strengthen the navy.
● India also leases nuclear submarines from Russia (like INS Chakra) and
is developing its own nuclear submarine fleet (INS Arihant).
● India’s navy works with other countries through exercises like Malabar
(with the US and Japan), VARUNA (with France), and MILAN (with
multiple countries).
(c) Regional Cooperation
● India helps neighbours like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and
Seychelles with coastal surveillance, patrol ships, radars, and training.
● India participates in regional forums like:
○ IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association)
○ IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium)
○ ReCAAP (anti-piracy agreement)
● India also provides humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)
during emergencies like cyclones, tsunamis, and pandemics.
(

d) Challenges in Implementation

● India faces problems like:

○ Delays in shipbuilding and dependence on imports.
○ Bureaucratic red tape slowing down procurement.
○ Budget constraints limiting the navy’s expansion.
○ Balancing cooperation and competition with China while

ensuring neighbourhood trust.

Conclusion
Maritime security is an essential part of India’s external security challenges.
With growing trade, energy needs, and geopolitical competition, India can no
longer afford to ignore the oceans. India’s maritime security challenges come
from both state and non-state actors, especially China’s naval power, Pakistan’s
sea-denial strategy, and the vulnerabilities of smaller neighbours.
India’s response has been to strengthen its navy, build partnerships, support
smaller island states, and promote regional cooperation. India’s vision of
SAGAR and the Indo-Pacific must be backed by strong capabilities and
proactive diplomacy.
In the coming years, India must focus on:
 ● Building a blue water navy that can operate far from its shores.
● Enhancing regional trust with neighbours like Sri Lanka and Maldives.
● Ensuring the Indian Ocean remains a free, open, and peaceful
region.
● Balancing competition with China while maintaining strategic
autonomy.
Maritime security is not just about protecting ships and ports. It is about
ensuring India’s role as a responsible power, securing the future of the Indian
Ocean, and contributing to global peace and stability.

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