National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC)
Recently India has appointed the first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC).
The appointment of a National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC) in India has been proposed since the 26/11 terrorist attacks (year 2008).
NMSC will be part of the National Security Council Secretariat. He will report to the National Security Advisor (NSA).
It was also recommended by the Kargil Group of Ministers (GOM). Thus India has been in need of NMSC for a long time.
Role:
- It will be the Principal Adviser to the Government of India on maritime security issues.
- It will ensure coordination between the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, security agencies involved in coastal and maritime security and 13 coastal states and union territories.
- At present, these agencies sometimes interfere in each other’s jurisdictions. This hinders their work.
Why there is a need to secure Indian maritime territory:
- India has a coastline of more than 7000 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of more than 20 lakh square km. Thus India has been ignoring the central role of the maritime sector in India’s security and prosperity for centuries.
- More than 70 per cent of Indian trade, including vital crude oil, is carried through the sea.
- China is following the principle of sea-based security. It is entering the Indian Ocean through Pakistan and Myanmar.
Other measures for maritime security:
- The Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) Initiative is the theme of the Indian Ocean Policy formulated by the Prime Minister.
- White shipping agreements have been signed. In addition, agreements on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) have also been concluded.
- Coastal surveillance radar system and medical supplies have been arranged through Operation Sagar-1 and Sagar-2 during the COVID period.
- Overall Security Provider – The ships have been deployed by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for anti-piracy and maritime security operations.
Source – The Hindu
