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Maritime Security

What is Maritime Security?

Maritime Security encompasses the protection of a nation's maritime interests, including its territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), sea lanes of communication (SLOCs), and coastal infrastructure, from both traditional (e.g., naval threats, piracy) and non-traditional (e.g., terrorism, illegal fishing, environmental degradation) threats.

Historical Background

Historically, maritime security focused on naval power projection and protecting trade routes. Post-9/11, the scope expanded to include non-state actors and transnational crimes. For India, with its 7,500 km coastline and dependence on sea trade, maritime security has always been critical, gaining renewed emphasis with the rise of the Indo-Pacific concept and growing challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.

Key Points

10 points
  • 1.

    Naval Presence and Patrols: Deploying naval assets to monitor and secure maritime zones, deterring illicit activities.

  • 2.

    Anti-Piracy Operations: International cooperation to combat piracy, especially in high-risk areas like the Gulf of Aden.

  • 3.

    Counter-Terrorism at Sea: Preventing maritime terrorism and infiltration through coastal and offshore surveillance.

  • 4.

    Protection of SLOCs: Ensuring the free and safe flow of trade through vital shipping lanes, crucial for global commerce.

  • 5.

    Coastal Security: Safeguarding coastlines, ports, and offshore installations from various threats.

  • 6.

    Fisheries Management: Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing to protect marine resources.

  • 7.

    Disaster Response: Conducting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in maritime areas.

  • 8.

    Environmental Protection: Preventing marine pollution and protecting marine ecosystems from degradation.

  • 9.

    Hydrographic Surveys: Mapping sea lanes for safe navigation and updating nautical charts.

  • 10.

    International Cooperation: Bilateral and multilateral exercises, intelligence sharing, and capacity building with partner nations to enhance collective security.

Visual Insights

Dimensions of Maritime Security

This mind map illustrates the key dimensions of maritime security, including threats, legal frameworks, and cooperation.

Maritime Security

  • Threats
  • Legal Framework
  • Cooperation
  • Maritime Domain Awareness

Evolution of Maritime Security in India

This timeline shows the evolution of maritime security in India, from historical context to recent developments.

India's maritime security concerns have evolved over time, from traditional naval defense to addressing non-traditional threats like piracy and terrorism.

  • 1612Establishment of the Indian Navy
  • 1947India's Independence and focus on maritime interests
  • 1978Enactment of the Indian Coast Guard Act
  • 1982UNCLOS adoption
  • 2008Mumbai Terror Attacks - Highlighted coastal security gaps
  • 2023Increased naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region
  • 2024Increased focus on cybersecurity for maritime infrastructure
  • 2026Rajnath Singh emphasizes naval cooperation to counter maritime security threats

Recent Developments

6 developments

India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative, focusing on comprehensive maritime engagement.

Increased focus on maritime domain awareness (MDA) through surveillance and information sharing networks.

Strengthening of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard capabilities through modernization and indigenization.

Growing concerns over China's expanding naval presence and strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean.

Collaboration with Quad partners and European navies on joint patrols and exercises to uphold a rules-based order.

Emphasis on blue economy and sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth.

This Concept in News

5 topics

Rajnath Singh emphasizes naval cooperation to counter maritime security threats.

20 Feb 2026

The news about the Defense Minister's call for naval cooperation directly illuminates the aspect of international collaboration in maritime security. It demonstrates how addressing complex maritime threats requires nations to move beyond individual efforts and engage in joint strategies. This news event applies the concept of maritime security in practice by highlighting the need for interoperability and information sharing among naval forces. It reveals that modern maritime security challenges are too multifaceted for any single nation to handle alone. The implications of this news are that stronger partnerships and coordinated actions are essential for effectively safeguarding maritime interests and maintaining regional stability. Understanding maritime security is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for why naval cooperation is so important and what specific threats it aims to address. Without this understanding, the news might seem like a routine statement, but with it, the strategic significance becomes clear.

Rebuilding India-Maldives Relations: A Path to Renewed Cooperation

18 Feb 2026

The news underscores how bilateral relations directly impact maritime security. (1) It demonstrates that maritime security isn't solely about military strength but also relies on diplomatic ties and mutual trust. (2) The India-Maldives relationship exemplifies how political dynamics can either enhance or undermine maritime security in a region. (3) The news reveals that maritime security is a multifaceted concept, encompassing not only defense but also economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. (4) The implications are that a stable and friendly relationship between India and the Maldives can lead to a more secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean, benefiting both countries and the wider region. (5) Understanding maritime security is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for understanding the strategic importance of the India-Maldives relationship and its impact on regional stability and economic prosperity. Without this understanding, the news would simply be about two countries improving relations, missing the critical security dimension.

Government Approves Acquisition of Dornier 228 Aircraft for Coast Guard

13 Feb 2026

This news highlights the importance of maritime surveillance as a key component of maritime security. The Dornier 228 acquisition demonstrates how nations invest in technology and equipment to enhance their ability to monitor and protect their maritime interests. This news applies the concept of maritime security in practice by showing how a specific asset (the aircraft) contributes to a broader security goal. It reveals the ongoing need for investment in maritime capabilities to address evolving threats. The implications are that India will have improved situational awareness in its maritime domain, leading to more effective responses to security challenges. Understanding maritime security is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for why the acquisition is important and what benefits it will bring to India's overall security.

Strengthening India-Malaysia relations: A call for deeper strategic engagement

10 Feb 2026

This news highlights the aspect of maritime security as a crucial element of bilateral strategic partnerships. It demonstrates how shared maritime interests and concerns can drive closer cooperation between nations. The news applies the concept of maritime security in practice by suggesting specific areas for collaboration, such as defense and maritime security. It reveals the growing importance of maritime security in the context of evolving geopolitical dynamics. The implications of this news for the concept's future are that maritime security will likely become an increasingly important area of focus for India's foreign policy and defense strategy. Understanding maritime security is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides the context for understanding the strategic rationale behind closer India-Malaysia relations and the potential benefits of enhanced maritime cooperation.

India and Greece to Enhance Defence Cooperation in New Delhi

9 Feb 2026

This news highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing maritime security challenges. (1) It demonstrates how countries are working together to enhance their capabilities and share information. (2) The India-Greece partnership applies the concept of maritime security by focusing on joint exercises and capacity building. This helps both countries protect their maritime interests. (3) The news reveals the growing recognition of India's strategic importance in the maritime domain. (4) The implications of this news are that we can expect more such partnerships in the future, as countries seek to address shared maritime security threats. (5) Understanding maritime security is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for why India and Greece are cooperating. It helps us understand the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Source Topic

Rajnath Singh emphasizes naval cooperation to counter maritime security threats.

Polity & Governance

UPSC Relevance

Highly relevant for UPSC GS Paper 2 (International Relations, India's Foreign Policy, Regional Groupings) and GS Paper 3 (Internal Security, Defence). Frequently asked in Mains on India's strategic interests, challenges in the Indian Ocean, and coastal security. Relevant for Prelims on international conventions, initiatives, and geographical aspects.

Dimensions of Maritime Security

This mind map illustrates the key dimensions of maritime security, including threats, legal frameworks, and cooperation.

Maritime Security

Piracy & Armed Robbery

Maritime Terrorism

UNCLOS

National Laws

Naval Exercises

Information Sharing

Coastal Surveillance

Connections
ThreatsCooperation
Legal FrameworkMaritime Security

Evolution of Maritime Security in India

This timeline shows the evolution of maritime security in India, from historical context to recent developments.

1612

Establishment of the Indian Navy

1947

India's Independence and focus on maritime interests

1978

Enactment of the Indian Coast Guard Act

1982

UNCLOS adoption

2008

Mumbai Terror Attacks - Highlighted coastal security gaps

2023

Increased naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region

2024

Increased focus on cybersecurity for maritime infrastructure

2026

Rajnath Singh emphasizes naval cooperation to counter maritime security threats

Connected to current news

This Concept in News

5 news topics

5

Rajnath Singh emphasizes naval cooperation to counter maritime security threats.

20 February 2026

The news about the Defense Minister's call for naval cooperation directly illuminates the aspect of international collaboration in maritime security. It demonstrates how addressing complex maritime threats requires nations to move beyond individual efforts and engage in joint strategies. This news event applies the concept of maritime security in practice by highlighting the need for interoperability and information sharing among naval forces. It reveals that modern maritime security challenges are too multifaceted for any single nation to handle alone. The implications of this news are that stronger partnerships and coordinated actions are essential for effectively safeguarding maritime interests and maintaining regional stability. Understanding maritime security is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for why naval cooperation is so important and what specific threats it aims to address. Without this understanding, the news might seem like a routine statement, but with it, the strategic significance becomes clear.

Rebuilding India-Maldives Relations: A Path to Renewed Cooperation

18 February 2026

The news underscores how bilateral relations directly impact maritime security. (1) It demonstrates that maritime security isn't solely about military strength but also relies on diplomatic ties and mutual trust. (2) The India-Maldives relationship exemplifies how political dynamics can either enhance or undermine maritime security in a region. (3) The news reveals that maritime security is a multifaceted concept, encompassing not only defense but also economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. (4) The implications are that a stable and friendly relationship between India and the Maldives can lead to a more secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean, benefiting both countries and the wider region. (5) Understanding maritime security is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for understanding the strategic importance of the India-Maldives relationship and its impact on regional stability and economic prosperity. Without this understanding, the news would simply be about two countries improving relations, missing the critical security dimension.

Government Approves Acquisition of Dornier 228 Aircraft for Coast Guard

13 February 2026

This news highlights the importance of maritime surveillance as a key component of maritime security. The Dornier 228 acquisition demonstrates how nations invest in technology and equipment to enhance their ability to monitor and protect their maritime interests. This news applies the concept of maritime security in practice by showing how a specific asset (the aircraft) contributes to a broader security goal. It reveals the ongoing need for investment in maritime capabilities to address evolving threats. The implications are that India will have improved situational awareness in its maritime domain, leading to more effective responses to security challenges. Understanding maritime security is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for why the acquisition is important and what benefits it will bring to India's overall security.

Strengthening India-Malaysia relations: A call for deeper strategic engagement

10 February 2026

This news highlights the aspect of maritime security as a crucial element of bilateral strategic partnerships. It demonstrates how shared maritime interests and concerns can drive closer cooperation between nations. The news applies the concept of maritime security in practice by suggesting specific areas for collaboration, such as defense and maritime security. It reveals the growing importance of maritime security in the context of evolving geopolitical dynamics. The implications of this news for the concept's future are that maritime security will likely become an increasingly important area of focus for India's foreign policy and defense strategy. Understanding maritime security is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides the context for understanding the strategic rationale behind closer India-Malaysia relations and the potential benefits of enhanced maritime cooperation.

India and Greece to Enhance Defence Cooperation in New Delhi

9 February 2026

This news highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing maritime security challenges. (1) It demonstrates how countries are working together to enhance their capabilities and share information. (2) The India-Greece partnership applies the concept of maritime security by focusing on joint exercises and capacity building. This helps both countries protect their maritime interests. (3) The news reveals the growing recognition of India's strategic importance in the maritime domain. (4) The implications of this news are that we can expect more such partnerships in the future, as countries seek to address shared maritime security threats. (5) Understanding maritime security is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for why India and Greece are cooperating. It helps us understand the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.