Drugs worth Rs 600 crore seized from Pakistani boat

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• India’s Maritime security
• What is the importance of maritime security?
• What are the mechanisms to ensure maritime security?
• Associated Issues in maintaining maritime security
• What is Indian Coast Guard (ICG)?

Why in News?

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized 86 kg of suspected heroin worth Rs 602 crore from a Pakistani boat, which was on its way to Sri Lanka via Tamil Nadu.

The drugs were seized off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat during a joint ICG operation with the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The action was undertaken as part of Operation Sagarmanthan series that aims to make India drug-free.

What is the importance of maritime security?

• Maritime security of vast coastlines
• India has along 7,516-km coastline, including island territories, and a 2 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone.
• The importance of maritime security was evident following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. 
• Economic and energy security
• 90% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value transit through the seas. 
• Strengthening the country’s maritime security is also necessary as India is focusing on becoming a blue economy.
• The Indian government is set to clear the Deep Ocean Mission for the blue water economy.
• Geostrategic Need
• China is penetrating into the Indian Ocean through Pakistan and Myanmar.
• Enhanced maritime security will give a boost to India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth of All in the Region) doctrine.
  • Under this doctrine, India has envisioned a role of net security provider for itself in the IOR.

What are the mechanisms to ensure maritime security?

• Coastal border management was institutionalised in 2004 with the establishment of the Department of Border Management in the MHA.
• However, after the ‘26/11’ attacks, coastal and maritime security underwent a paradigm shift. These included:
  • A three-tier security grid the Indian Navy, the coast guard, and the marine police;
  • Increased electronic surveillance using Coastal radar chain, Automatic identification system (AIS), Vessel traffic management and information system
  • Establishment the National Command Control Communication and Intelligence (NC3I) Network;
  • Sagar Prahari Bal for force security protecting of naval bases has been raised by Navy;
  • Establishment of Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).

Associated Issues in maintaining maritime security

• There are no formal or commonly accepted definitions of concepts like ‘maritime security’, ‘coastal security’ and ‘coastal defence’. Sometimes, it leads to vagueness.
• Multiple institutions are involved and there is lack of coordination.
• Turf war between MHA and Ministry of Defence (MoD). Demands are being made to bring Coast Guard under the control of MHA. 
• Fishermen are considered as the eyes and ears for coastal security. However, discontent among fishermen community, involvement of politics in fishermen issues etc. are further complicating the security architecture.
• Inadequate infrastructure, acute shortage of manpower is posing challenges in providing maritime security in India.

What is Indian Coast Guard (ICG)?

• About
  • The ICG is a maritime armed force and search and rescue agency that protects India's maritime and national interests.
  • It was established in February 1977 by the Coast Guard Act of the Parliament of India and operates under the Ministry of Defence.
  • ICG's missions include
    • Protecting artificial islands, offshore terminals, and other installations
    • Protecting and assisting fishermen and mariners at sea
    • Pollution control

Q.1. What is Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB)?

The Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB) is a unit of the Indian Navy that patrols India's coastal waters. It was formed in March 2009 in response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The SPB operates high-speed interceptor boats, such as the T323 and T324, that can operate in shallow waters.

Q.2. What is National Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence Centre (NC3I)?

National Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence Centre (NC3I) is a maritime security project. It was launched soon after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, when Pakistani terrorists managed to reach the city undetected due to gaps in coastal surveillance.

Drugs worth Rs 600 crore seized from Pakistani boat on way to Sri Lanka; 14 crew members held | Indian Coast Guard | Times of India