Introduction
India, a peninsular nation with a coastline of over 7,500 kilometers, is intrinsically tied to the sea for its economic prosperity, trade connectivity, national defense, and geopolitical influence. Bordered by the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean, India occupies a strategic location that enables it to project power and secure interests across the maritime domain. In an era where oceans are as contested as land borders, maritime security has emerged as a central pillar of India’s foreign and defense policy.
Protecting maritime boundaries isn’t limited to guarding against external threats—it’s also about managing economic resources, countering piracy, ensuring environmental protection, and preserving sovereignty. With increasing geostrategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, India’s resolve to defend its maritime zones is firmer than ever, firmly rooted in international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
India’s Maritime Geography and Strategic Importance
India’s maritime geography offers it an unparalleled advantage. The country’s location in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)—with proximity to key chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, Malacca, and Bab-el-Mandeb—provides India a commanding maritime influence. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India spans more than 2 million square kilometers, rich in marine biodiversity, fisheries, hydrocarbons, and mineral resources.
India’s maritime interests are not only confined to economic resources but also include the protection of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), through which more than 90% of its trade and 80% of its oil imports flow. The growing presence of foreign navies, especially China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), in the Indian Ocean has further intensified India’s efforts to secure its maritime space.
Understanding Maritime Zones Under UNCLOS
India follows the UNCLOS framework, which defines different maritime zones:
Territorial Sea (up to 12 NM) – India exercises complete sovereignty just as it does over land territory.
Contiguous Zone (12–24 NM) – India has rights to prevent and punish infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, up to 200 NM) – India has exclusive rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources.
Continental Shelf – Extends up to 350 NM depending on geological evidence. India has rights to extract mineral and non-living resources.
These zones form the legal basis of India’s maritime jurisdiction and help demarcate India’s rights in its surrounding waters.
Legal Framework: National Laws and International Commitments
India ratified UNCLOS in 1995 and has enacted domestic laws to give it effect. The primary legislation is:
The Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, which establishes India’s jurisdiction over its maritime zones in accordance with UNCLOS.
The Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981, to regulate foreign fishing vessels.
The Indian Coast Guard Act, 1978, outlines maritime enforcement responsibilities.
India also implements the Merchant Shipping Act, Environment Protection Act, and Customs Act in maritime contexts.
These laws ensure sovereign rights over natural resources and allow India to exercise enforcement powers for national and environmental security.
Dispute Resolutions and Diplomatic Engagements
India’s peaceful approach to maritime disputes has been globally appreciated. The 2014 maritime boundary resolution with Bangladesh is a prime example. Despite initial disagreement over the Bay of Bengal delimitation, India accepted the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), showing its commitment to rule-based order.
India also resolved its maritime boundary with Sri Lanka through bilateral discussions and remains engaged with Maldives, Indonesia, and Myanmar to clarify maritime zones. This reflects India’s emphasis on maritime diplomacy, aligned with its “Neighborhood First” and “Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)” policy.
Role of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard
- Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the cornerstone of India’s maritime defense. It performs the dual role of safeguarding maritime borders and ensuring power projection. Its activities include:
Blue Water Operations to deter adversaries in far seas
Anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden
Bilateral/multilateral naval exercises like Malabar (with the US and Japan), MILAN, Varuna (with France)
Monitoring SLOCs in the IOR
Enhancing interoperability with friendly navies
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
The ICG ensures coastal security and enforces maritime laws within India’s EEZ. It combats:
Smuggling and illegal fishing
Drug trafficking
Marine pollution
Search and Rescue (SAR) missions
The ICG has grown significantly post-26/11 Mumbai attacks and coordinates closely with state police, fisheries, and intelligence agencies.
Technological and Surveillance Infrastructure
India’s maritime protection is increasingly technology-driven. Key systems include:
Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) – India’s nerve center for coastal surveillance that tracks both commercial and non-commercial vessels.
National Command Control Communication and Intelligence (NC3I) Network – Integrates data from radars and satellites.
White Shipping Agreements – India shares non-military shipping data with 36 countries to track commercial vessels.
ISRO’s OceanSat and CartoSat satellites provide imagery to monitor coastal activity, marine pollution, and illegal trawling.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being explored to detect anomaly patterns in vessel movements and suspicious maritime behavior.
Sagarmala and the Blue Economy
- Sagarmala Project
This government-led initiative aims to modernize port infrastructure, develop coastal communities, and integrate logistics with inland transport. It promotes maritime trade efficiency while strengthening coastal security through infrastructure development. - India’s Blue Economy Vision
India’s approach to the blue economy focuses on sustainable exploitation of ocean resources for growth. This includes:
Marine biotechnology
Deep sea mining
Renewable energy from tides and waves
Coastal tourism
Sustainable fisheries
Efforts are being made to balance growth with marine biodiversity protection through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and international cooperation.
Challenges to India’s Maritime Security
Despite robust mechanisms, several challenges persist:
China’s Naval Presence in the IOR through “String of Pearls” strategy and dual-use port facilities in Gwadar, Hambantota, and Djibouti.
Piracy near Gulf of Aden and East African coast.
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign vessels.
Transnational Crime and Smuggling – drugs, arms, and human trafficking.
Climate Change – Rising sea levels threaten coastal areas and require adaptive strategies.
Addressing these requires constant vigilance, infrastructure upgrades, and regional cooperation.
Future Roadmap
India is strengthening its maritime posture through:
Fleet Modernization – 200+ ship navy plan, new submarines, and aircraft carriers.
Maritime Theatre Command (MTC) – A proposed unified command to integrate navy, army, and air force resources for coastal defense.
QUAD and Indo-Pacific Cooperation – Collaborations with USA, Japan, and Australia to maintain maritime order.
Deepening Relations with Indian Ocean Littoral States – Through IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium) and IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association).
Enhanced Cybersecurity – Safeguarding port and vessel systems from cyber threats.
Conclusion
India’s strategy to protect its maritime boundaries is comprehensive and dynamic. It combines international legal adherence, strategic diplomacy, technological innovation, and military preparedness. With its rising maritime ambitions, India is not only securing its shores but is also shaping the broader maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.
As the seas become central to global competition, India’s leadership, backed by UNCLOS and proactive maritime governance, will be critical for regional stability and the protection of the global commons.
This blog has been written by Parveen kaur , 4th year B.A., LLB. (Hons), Lovely Professional University.
References
- UNCLOS (1982) – https://www.un.org/depts/los/
- Ministry of External Affairs – https://mea.gov.in/
- Indian Navy – https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/
- Indian Coast Guard – https://www.indiancoastguard.gov.in/
- ISRO Ocean Monitoring – https://www.isro.gov.in
- Sagarmala Project – https://sagarmala.gov.in/
- Press Information Bureau (PIB) – https://pib.gov.in/
- Observer Research Foundation (ORF) – https://www.orfonline.org/
- “Maritime Security Strategy” – Indian Navy Doctrine (2015)
