Coastal Security

While there is enough literature dealing with different facets of the topic related to maritime security, this book is an effort to deal with multiple facets of the subject. Topics covered in the book include themes like multiple maritime zones as defined under UNCLOS-III and India's MZI Act of 1976 as also state's criminal jurisdiction in these zones under prevailing international norms and state practices. The author has attempted to assess the available capability of various maritime enforcement agencies like the Navy, the Coast Guard, the Customs (Marine) and the Marine Police as well as the possible role that CISF can play in basic point security of port and off-shore platforms. Last two chapters deal with developments since 2004 and steps that were taken to evolve a framework for coastal security as well as steps initiated after 2008 to strengthen cooperation among various agencies involved in that context. Attempt has been made in the last chapter to suggest ways and means to improve not only the overall structures of maritime security but also to strengthen sea governance during Phase II (2011-16) of Coastal Security Scheme.

The heinous attack on Mumbai on 26 November 2008 ‘26/11’ brought to the fore the compelling need to strengthen mechanisms for maritime and coastal security in India. This book, ten years after the attack, aims to advance the academic discourse on the subject. The book traces the evolution of the coastal security construct in India and dwells extensively on the multifarious initiatives taken since ‘26/11’. The book also undertakes a comprehensive examination of multiple elements of the coastal security construct, and makes policy recommendations for further strengthening coastal security in India. A useful, updated, and insightful resource for academics, policymakers, practitioners, as also those interested in the subject.

India's rise as a global power in the 21st century will be backed with a strong blue economy. The high volumetric trade activities through its coastal region, mainly due to its geostrategic location and efficient links with the vast potential market in the hinterland and other landlocked states, provides it unmatched leverage. Among such promising enterprising, attracting global investments and trade, the non-conventional security threats within the Indian Ocean region and India's ports and coast cannot be ignored. Therefore, to address these challenges, the law at the seas formulated by various global organisations and other national and international regulatory mechanisms become essential for all those directly or indirectly involved in India's maritime security. Over the years, many state coastal security agencies have evolved with specific potential and restrictions, which creates a certain conditionality of the existing non-conventional security challenges and maritime conflicts with its neighbours. The successful use of security-related technology to outpace such non-conventional threats creates a demand for further bolstering such technologies for India's advantage. Besides, these prevailing threats to the ports and coastal region, the environmental security challenges also directly impact humans and cannot be undermined. The book covers all these facets in detail, identifying the specific fault lines and makes recommendations to address the non-conventional security challenges of India's ports, coast and maritime trade. The book will be of interest to policymakers, academicians, practitioners, scholars, and all those individuals and institutes interested in India's Ports, Coastal and Maritime Security.

Maritime security is one of the latest additions to the field of international as well as national security. The concept has received growing attention especially due to the intensification of concerns over maritime terrorism since 2000. The rise of modern piracy, maritime crimes such as human trafficking, and the increasing importance of the 'blue economy' and issues relating to freedom of navigation, maritime environmental protection and resource management have resulted in increased significance of maritime security studies. A significant number of states and other international actors such as, Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and Transnational Corporations (TNCs), have placed maritime security high in their security agenda. This priority is reflected in several governmental and intergovernmental strategies for maritime security. In addition to that the regional grouping in the Indian Ocean and Indo – Pacific, such as ASEAN, BIMSTEC, IORA, and IONS have placed maritime security issues high in their agenda.

This book focuses on various aspects of maritime security of India. Starting with the changing dimensions of national security, it addresses the issues such as non-traditional threats to security, the threat posed by non state actors, the causes of insecurity and also the imperatives of tackling the human security challenges. The need for a comprehensive change in India's security policy is well exposed and certain policy prescriptions are also given. The oceans are generally meant for better inaction among nations, especially in the era of accelerated pace of globalization. With regard to the coastal security of India the role of coastal community is significant. The needs for inculcating awareness among the coastal community on coastal security matters as well as infrastructure development along the coastal area are also emphasized. It is very important to look into the basic problems of coastal people as they face many human security challenges. When we look into the coastal security a convergence of the national security concerns and human security concerns is visible. The overall development of the coastal area would lead to better human security and better human security would result in enlisting the support of the coastal community to ensure national security programme, especially the coastal security. In short, coastal security is not only about protecting the coastal terrain and territorial waters from direct attacks by the state actors or non state actors, but also safeguarding the interests of all stake holders.

History has shown how powerful societies decline when natural resources are unable to be replenished. This book explores the challenges facing coastal areas during in the near future. It emphasizes beliefs that the convergence of seemingly disparate viewpoints and uncertain and limited information is possible only by using available risk assessment methodologies and decision-making tools such as multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA).