India’s Maritime Strategy

SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region; core vision for a shared Indian Ocean commons.
MAHASAGAR – Extension of SAGAR to a global maritime security and development framework.
Maritime India Vision 2030 – Targets a global maritime hub status, blue‑economy growth, indigenous shipbuilding and climate‑resilient ports.
Legal Reforms (2025) – Merchant Shipping Act, Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, Indian Ports Act – align Indian law with UNCLOS, SOLAS, MARPOL.
Institutional Platforms – Indo‑Pacific Oceans Initiative, Information Fusion Centre‑IOR, IORA, BIMSTEC.
Capability Gaps – Submarine shortage, delays in indigenous shipbuilding, dependence on imported sensors and propulsion.
Strategic Challenges – China’s dual‑use ports (Gwadar, Hambantota, Kyaukpyu), choke‑point vulnerability (Hormuz, Bab el‑Mandeb, Malacca), underwater domain awareness deficit, climate‑induced coastal risks.

Ancient Maritime Heritage – Chola and Maratha navies demonstrated organised naval power and overseas expeditions, establishing early Indian Ocean engagement.
Colonial Era – British rule subsumed indigenous maritime capabilities, leaving a land‑centric security mindset post‑Independence.
Post‑1960s Shift – Nehru’s early warnings on Indian Ocean importance were largely ignored until the 1980s when rising seaborne trade, energy imports and diplomatic outreach to Australia, Japan and ASEAN prompted a strategic reorientation.
2000s Onwards – Anti‑piracy operations, expanded naval reach, and maritime diplomacy positioned India as a net security provider.

Strategic Autonomy – A robust maritime posture safeguards trade routes, energy supplies and deters coercion.
Economic Growth – Blue Economy initiatives (fisheries, offshore renewable energy, marine biotech) contribute to GDP and employment.
Regional Influence – Rule‑shaping through IORA, IOR‑ARC and Quad cooperation enhances India’s leadership among Global South littorals.
Security Architecture – Integration of Navy, Coast Guard, Indian Port Trusts and civilian agencies under a National Maritime Security Framework ensures coordinated response to conventional and non‑traditional threats.
Climate Resilience – Aligning maritime infrastructure with NAPCC and CRZ norms mitigates sea‑level rise impacts on naval bases and island territories.

Article 246 (Union List) – Allows Parliament to legislate on ‘naval and shipping’ matters.
UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) – Forms the legal basis for EEZ, continental shelf rights; incorporated via the 2025 maritime Acts.
National Security Act, 1980 – Provides framework for maritime security operations.
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification – Governs coastal development, relevant for climate‑critical ports.

Statutory Integration – Enact a consolidated National Maritime Security Framework linking SAGAR, Sagarmala and Blue Economy policies.
Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) – Joint Navy‑ISRO‑DRDO missions for seabed surveillance, autonomous underwater vehicles and protection of undersea cables.
Regional Rule‑Shaping – Assist littorals in UNCLOS‑compliant legislation, capacity‑building for coast guards.
Climate‑Security Convergence – Treat ports and naval bases as climate‑critical infrastructure; integrate NAPCC objectives.
Human Capital Development – Expand ocean science, hydrography, maritime cyber‑security and strategic studies programmes.

Potential UPSC Questions

Mains: Trace the evolution of India’s maritime strategy from a land‑centric outlook to an Indo‑Pacific orientation.
Prelims: Identify the correct statements about SAGAR, MAHASAGAR and the challenges posed by China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the Indian Ocean.