“Whoever controls the Indian Ocean dominates Asia. this ocean is the key to Seven Seas” ~ Alfred Mahan
These words are very much prominent considering the present geopolitical scenario. From ancient times it has been a busy trade route nowadays advantage in Indian ocean means controlling the whole trade route which is very vital for India and its economy show its usefulness is fraught with many problems too.
Why Maritime security is important?
Terrorism, piracy is one of the largest problem in this region
Suspicious activities by agencies of other countries government
Rising sea level causing a threat to our Island and and other island Nations
Changing Global climate leading to frequent disasters
Rising pollution level causing threat to Marine ecosystem thus causing harm to blue economy
Transcontinental shipping of illegal items across the region
So now to tackle this problems Central government is adopting following strategies~
1.Increasing cooperation with all the countries in the region.
* Our Prime Minister discussed about the policy named as SAGAR ( security and growth for all in the region) in the QUAD Summit.
* Project Mausam by Ministry of culture to explore connection of Africa and Indian civilizations
2. to deal with expansionist Salami slice technique and infiltrations, government is modernizing Indian Coast Guard and navy
*MH-60 helicopters with state of art machinery with order for Indian Navy special characters include all weather multi-role helicopters with vertical replenishment( transport of cargo between one sheet to other) and have submarine tracking system helps in anti submarine warfare.
3. Increasing alliances with other
*QUAD :- deeply worried about influence of expansionist forces in the Indian Ocean members include India United States of America ,Japan ,Australia and aims to secure trade and sovereignty in the region
* Malabar exercise to counter any act of aggression
*TTX 2021( trilateral tabletop exercise) members include Sri Lanka, India Maldives under these NSA level meeting were conducted an agreement on enhancing Maritime security was ensured.
*Recently Indian Coast Guard and Sri Lankan Navy Air Force conducted and operation Sagar Aaraksha -II to fight a major fire on board of MVX press Pearl chemical laden container vessel anchored off Colombo.
4. Now at The Grass root level we need to induce Maritime domain awareness in the citizen of our country
*MDA( Maritime domain awareness) the knowledge of global Maritime domain so that we could stop all illegal activities portent and reduce the effect of disaster. This include not only gaining knowledge about human activities but also the oceanic geography.
Thus, considering the threat and all the facts it can be concluded that Maritime security is very vital not only for Indian subcontinent but also for our economy.
DuckDesk 