The State of India’s Coastal Security Preparedness | National Security Dialogues | Abhijit Singh

The 26/11 attacks in Mumbai marked a significant shift in the focus on coastal security within the broader context of national security. Following the attacks in 2008, the Indian Navy assumed overall responsibility for maritime security, while the Indian Coast Guard was tasked with safeguarding territorial waters and coordinating with marine police stations established along the country’s coastline. In recent years, India's maritime periphery has undergone strategic changes, influenced by China's expanding maritime presence in the Indian Ocean and the rising threats from non-traditional maritime security challenges. As a result, the role of the Indian Coast Guard has become increasingly relevant. Policy attention has re-focused on coastal security following the rise in illegal fishing along India’s coast and a drone attack on an oil tanker in the Arabian Sea in December 2023. India’s readiness for coastal security requires greater consideration, especially given the implications of asymmetric challenges in the littorals for national security.
Towards this end, the central question guiding security discussions is: What is the current state of India’s coastal security preparedness?
The latest iteration of ORF’s National Security Dialogues will examine the state of India’s coastal security preparedness. Panellists will examine India’s coastal security architecture and evaluate whether security perspectives have evolved in tandem with broader maritime security objectives. How has the role of India’s Coast Guard evolved? What is the role of emerging technologies in shaping India’s evolving coastal security challenges? Has India’s understanding of coastal security factored in civilian issues and interests? Do coastal security threats intersect with broader strategic security challenges in India’s maritime neighbourhood?
This event is part of the series “National Security Dialogues,” a monthly feature of the Strategic Studies Programme. The dialogue intends to debate and discuss on the myriad aspects of India’s national security landscape.
Speakers:
Vice Admiral Anil Chopra (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow, Delhi Policy Group
Captain Sarabjeet S. Parmar (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow, United Service Institution of India
Dr. Pushpita Das, Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defense Studies and Analyses
Moderator:
Abhijit Singh, Senior Fellow and Head, Maritime Policy Initiative, Observer Research Foundation
#nationalsecurity #maritimesafety #coastalupdates

[@JaiAdiShankaracharya]

Very underrated session