Strategic Maritime Power: Its Critical Role in Comprehensive National Security

India's position as a coastal nation with extensive territorial waters and numerous islands presents a whole array of distinct maritime security challenges. Unlike land borders, maritime boundaries are expansive and complex, necessitating nuanced security strategies that align with India's national security priorities and emphasize its strategic maritime significance. India's geolocation and status as a major geopolitical entity impose significant responsibilities in the oceanic domain. The ocean, as an interconnected global entity, requires a comprehensive understanding of coastal security. As national interests evolve, maritime zones, which define a nation's reach, integrate coastal security with broader border protection. India's sovereignty extends beyond its coastline, involving the administration of the coastal and marine interface, a responsibility managed by nine coastal states and four union territories. India shares maritime borders with seven countries Bangladesh, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.¹

Maritime security has become a key aspect of India's relations with the broader Indian Ocean community, driven by the need to protect vital trade routes and choke points. Regional cooperation through mechanisms like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Indian Ocean Commission (COI), and Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is essential, as nearly 40% of India's trade involves littoral nations along the Indian Ocean Rim. Ensuring freedom of navigation and the safe passage of Indian ships is central to India's maritime strategy. IORA, in particular, serves as a crucial platform for addressing both traditional challenges, such as the strategic rivalry with China, and non-traditional threats like trafficking, climate change, and illegal fishing, while coordinating collective responses to these issues.²

Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

India's strategic location near crucial sea lanes from the Persian Gulf, Malacca Straits, and the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden solidifies its dominance in the subcontinent and its significant role in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This influence is strengthened by a large diaspora in IOR countries. As the region's leading naval power, India's responsibilities are shaped by its maritime trade, island territories, extensive coastline, and geopolitical goals. The Indian Ocean, with its critical sea lanes and choke points linking the Middle East, Asia, and Africa to Europe, is a strategic priority for major naval and regional powers focused on maritime security, including counter-terrorism, trafficking, and piracy efforts. ³

The Indian Ocean Region faces serious security challenges, including piracy, terrorism, and trafficking, due to its strategic importance. Piracy is particularly concentrated in the Gulf of Aden, Horn of Africa, and Strait of Malacca, where the complex network of islands and waterways makes enforcement difficult. Maritime terrorism is another critical threat, underscoring the need for coastal nations to secure their waters. Additionally, the rise in maritime drug trafficking, especially through the Afghanistan-Pakistan corridor, poses a significant challenge for India and its neighbours. The 2021 "Smuggling in India" report highlights India's vulnerability to drug trafficking via maritime routes, with a notable increase in heroin seizures in the Arabian Sea during 2020-21, mostly linked to shipments from Afghanistan.⁴

India has strengthened strategic ties with IOR littoral states, the US, and its allies while upgrading its military to achieve key objectives. Central to this effort is the modernization of its maritime forces, including amphibious, maritime, air, and joint naval warfare capabilities. In contrast, China's expansion of its blue-water navy in the IOR indicates its intention to project power and establish a permanent presence, raising the risk of a maritime arms race. Diplomacy and cooperation are vital to India’s Indian Ocean security strategy.⁵

Since 2015, India's IOR strategy has shifted from sea control to sea denial, aiming to prevent other powers, especially China, from dominating the region. As China's influence in the IOR grows, India must act swiftly, engaging in bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral partnerships with democratic nations. To counter China's presence, India must prioritize developing sea denial capabilities and enhance its fleet with submersible stealth vehicles. The 2015 revision of India's Maritime Strategy emphasizes the nation's "strategic imperatives" and positions the Indian Navy as a "net security provider" in the region. India is rapidly advancing its domestic defence industry and adopting innovative tactics, as seen in its participation in Malabar naval exercises with Quad members and Indonesia.⁶

India currently operates a modest fleet of 17 submarines reportedly stationed across Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, and Port Blair. To strengthen its maritime capabilities, it is crucial to advance the development of sea denial tools and submersible stealth vehicles. The Indian government has made progress in modernizing the navy, notably through the June 2023 acquisition of 31 MQ-9B drones from the US, with 15 designated for naval intelligence and surveillance in the IOR. Further efforts in indigenization and international collaborations, like the MQ-9B drone deal, are essential to accelerating the enhancement of India’s naval power and influence in the IOR.⁷

India is prioritizing maritime domain awareness, with plans to establish forty-two new coastal radar stations announced in 2021 to strengthen coastal surveillance. In December 2022, the government approved the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) project, which aims to create an integrated intelligence grid for real-time detection and response to sea-based threats. Over the past five years, India has maintained a constant naval presence in the Indian Ocean, with eight ships patrolling the region around the clock. Additionally, India is a member of the Indo Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) and the Colombo Security Conclave which focuses on coordinating security cooperation and capacity building in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. In March 2023, the Indian Navy completed the four-month Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) in the Indian Ocean (November 2022 - March 2023), underscoring its commitment to maritime security.⁸

The Bay

The Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Andaman Sea are at the heart of this political construct, forming the northeastern offshoot of the Indian Ocean as it merges with the Pacific Ocean. Geographically, the Bay is a bridge between South and Southeast Asia, making multidimensional maritime cooperation necessary between the countries of both blocs for regional growth. For the Indo-Pacific to prosper as a coherent whole, it is crucial for the smaller regions that are a part of it, such as the Bay of Bengal region to develop.⁹

The Bay region faces numerous non-traditional threats, including illegal activities and environmental challenges. India's key concerns include the Rohingya crisis, which has led to refugees entering the country via the Bengal delta, and South Asia's role as a major source of global human trafficking, with victims trafficked across the Bay to Southeast Asia. Post-pandemic border controls have shifted drug trafficking to sea routes, particularly from Myanmar through the Andaman Sea and Malacca Strait to Southeast Asia, Australia, and Japan. Emerging drug routes from West Asia through the Bay of Bengal also pose threats. In 2020, India and Myanmar identified maritime drug trafficking in the Bay as a "new challenge," especially with high drug abuse rates in India's northeastern states. Terrorism impacts many Bay littoral countries, with some serving as hubs for terrorist activities. The illegal arms trade, driven by money laundering and drug trafficking, further fuels terror financing. Several Bay littoral nations, including Myanmar, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, are listed in the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, reflecting their varying levels of impact from terrorism. By strengthening eastern defenses, leveraging the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and collaborating with littoral states and major powers on shared challenges, India can foster a more inclusive security and stable maritime environment, bolstering ties with like-minded nations.¹⁰

Andaman & Nicobar

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, separating the Bay of Bengal from the Andaman Sea, are among the world's most strategically located island chains due to their proximity to the East-West shipping route and their position as the first land link from the Malacca Strait. Strategically positioned at vital maritime crossroads, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have evolved into a critical player in regional power dynamics. 

India has significantly advanced its regional engagement through forums like ASEAN and the East Asia Summit, emphasizing the importance of reinforcing partnerships with Southeast Asia. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands play a crucial role as India's far eastern command, hosting the only integrated tri-service command and conducting joint maritime exercises such as SIMBEX and MILAN, highlighting India's commitment to regional security. The Indian Navy is enhancing its strategic capabilities by extending runways at Shibpur (INS Kohassa) and Campbell Bay (INS Baaz) to accommodate larger military aircraft, with similar developments planned for Kamorta. These infrastructure upgrades, coupled with the deployment of advanced aircraft like the Poseidon P-8I, are integral to India’s strategic objectives. Additionally, the Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar undersea internet cable is a pivotal development, connecting remote islands with high-speed internet, which not only benefits residents but also strengthens military communications. India's collaboration with eastern neighbours and global powers is further demonstrated by initiatives such as enhancing connectivity between Port Blair and Indonesia's Port of Sabang and securing a $133 million grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for a power supply project. Strengthening these partnerships remains vital for India's regional strategy.¹¹

Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)

Beyond militarization, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) is essential for securing the Bay by understanding maritime activities that impact security, safety, the economy, and the environment. MDA is key to assessing maritime threats and guiding effective responses. Since the November 2008 terror attacks, India has prioritized MDA through initiatives like the National Maritime Domain Awareness Centre, which integrates all maritime agencies, coastal states, and union territories into a unified network. India's MDA capabilities are further supported by the Coastal Surveillance Network and the National Automatic Identification System. In India, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) can be divided into three key categories: (i) military MDA, focused on naval operations; (ii) non-military MDA, involving maritime security agencies with an emphasis on security functions; and (iii) information-sharing mechanisms with international navies, countries, and other stakeholders.

India's efforts to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) are characterized by a multifaceted approach involving international collaboration and indigenous technological advancements. Through White Shipping Information Exchange (WSIE) agreements, India has established partnerships with 36 countries, with 22 agreements already signed, to facilitate global information sharing. A notable collaboration with France focuses on deploying a satellite constellation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for continuous ship tracking, thereby improving MDA. Recognizing the rising underwater threats, India is prioritizing Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) through enhanced point security measures. Additionally, India has developed indigenous MDA systems, such as the NC3I network and Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN), which are not only strengthening domestic maritime security but are also being exported to other nations.¹²

Steps Taken

In 2019, India passed the Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, which, pending presidential assent, criminalizes piracy and enhances maritime safety while promoting international cooperation. Additionally, India signed a memorandum with Bangladesh on the blue economy and maritime security, aimed at preventing border crossings by fishers, though formalization has been delayed due to few incidents. Through the SAGAR initiative, India conducts joint patrols and naval exercises with Bay littoral states and major powers, such as the Malabar exercise (with Japan, Australia, and the US) and coordinated patrols with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Thailand. These efforts improve naval interoperability and combat illegal activities like maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and armed robbery. As BIMSTEC's security sector lead, India has spearheaded the adoption of legal frameworks to address regional security issues, including counterterrorism, organized crime, and drug trafficking. In 2023, BIMSTEC updated its maritime humanitarian assistance and disaster relief guidelines, highlighting India's commitment to regional disaster preparedness in alignment with the Sendai Framework.¹³

India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) emphasizes principles like removing trade barriers, peaceful dispute resolution, disaster response, and combating non-state threats. India's commitment to maritime security is reflected in its observer status in the Djibouti Code of Conduct, participation in ReCAAP, and joint anti-piracy exercises with the EU in the Gulf of Aden. Through initiatives like the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and the IOR Defense Minister’s conclave, India promotes regional maritime cooperation beyond political divides. India has also established the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and secured White Shipping agreements with 22 countries to enhance real-time maritime security. Co-leading the Marine Ecology pillar of the IPOI with Australia, India focuses on reducing marine pollution and has joined international efforts to combat marine litter under the GloLitter Partnerships. India's engagement in trilateral formats like India-Australia-Japan and initiatives like the Forum for India–Pacific Island Cooperation (FIPIC) highlight its efforts to establish regional frameworks independent of great- power dynamics, expected to gain importance amid growing major power rivalries.¹⁴

National Security Perspective

India's maritime security strategy is a critical component of its broader national security strategy, significantly contributing to both external and internal security. From a national security perspective, a robust maritime strategy enables India to secure vital sea lanes that are essential for trade and energy supplies, directly impacting economic security. The Indian Navy's dominance is crucial for upholding sovereignty and safeguarding national interests. This maritime strength also allows India to project power and influence beyond its immediate neighbourhood, fostering deeper ties with key global powers and regional partners. Internally, maritime security contributes to India's internal security by addressing non-traditional security threats such as piracy, trafficking, and illegal fishing. By engaging with coastal states through partnerships, joint exercises, and capacity-building initiatives, India strengthens regional cooperation and builds a security architecture that is responsive to these threats. This, in turn, creates a stable environment conducive to economic development, particularly in coastal regions, and promotes sustainable maritime practices that are vital for long-term resource management.

Moreover, India's active role in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and other acts of assistance during global crises strengthens its international relationships, creating lasting goodwill and enhancing its soft power. These actions not only contribute to global stability but also reinforce India's image as a responsible maritime power, which is crucial for gaining support in international forums and advancing its broader strategic objectives. In the context of internal security, a strong maritime security strategy enhances the coordination between various national security agencies and government branches, ensuring a unified approach to national defense. This is particularly important in a country like India, where the coastline is extensive and vulnerable to various forms of security threats. By integrating maritime security with other elements of national security—such as diplomacy, economic policies, and soft power—India can develop a comprehensive national security strategy that addresses both external and internal challenges.¹⁵

In conclusion, India's maritime security strategy is integral to its national security framework. It not only secures the nation's maritime interests and borders but also plays a crucial role in maintaining regional stability, fostering international partnerships, and contributing to internal security. By building and maintaining a strong maritime presence, India can ensure that it remains a pivotal player in global and regional security, while also addressing the complex internal security challenges it faces.

*Ms Simran Rathore is a freelance commentator on security affairs in South Asia. The views expressed here are her own.

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