Maritime Security

Maritime security encompasses the protection of a nation's sovereign ocean zones, coastal frontiers, trade routes, and offshore infrastructure against conventional naval threats and non-traditional risks such as maritime terrorism, piracy, and illegal trafficking.

Under International Relations

• It protects India's vast coastline, island territories, and Exclusive Economic Zone, which are crucial for energy security and international trade flows.
• It serves as a core pillar of India's Indo-Pacific strategy, facilitating regional naval diplomacy, joint patrols, and maritime domain awareness initiatives.
• It bridges internal security and foreign policy by mitigating non-traditional threats like coastal infiltration, arms smuggling, and illegal fishing.

In GS Paper III, UPSC frequently examines coastal security architecture, emphasizing multi-agency coordination among the Navy, Coast Guard, and marine police. Under GS Paper II, questions focus on the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean Region, net security provider status, and multilateral groupings like SAGAR and the Quad. Candidates are expected to evaluate structural gaps in coastal surveillance while proposing governance and technological solutions.

• Border security: challenges, organized crime, terrorism GS3

• Deaths of Indian seafarers in overseas maritime conflict zones 22 July