INDIA’S MARITIME SECURITY: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

The concept of maritime security deals with a range of security issues, which include national security, economic development, human security, the marine environment, and so forth. Maritime security is one of the most important aspects of national security and international politics in the present day. Countries that have large coastal areas face serious maritime challenges and threats. Those countries need to invest large amounts of their budget, energy, and time in strengthening maritime security. India is also one of them that has been facing the challenges of maritime security. Multiple terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, exposed a lack of strong maritime security resources and infrastructure. The 26/11 terror attack is also considered a paradigm shift in India’s Maritime Security management. Therefore, to resolve the problems and counter maritime challenges and threats, India started giving more attention to maritime security. This paper examines how India’s maritime security discourse evolved, what the fundamental maritime security challenges India is facing presently are, what security policies and programs India has adopted and executed to counter those challenges, and what challenges still need to be addressed.