Palak Gupta

The Indian Navy conducted its maiden national level Coastal Defence Exercise Sea Vigil from 22-23 January 2019. The exercise witnessed the simultaneous activation of the coastal security apparatus across the country involving maritime stakeholders at the centre and all the 13 coastal states and Union Territories.

Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft

The exercise was undertaken along the entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India. Multi-agency teams were deployed in all coastal districts “to undertake security audit of various vulnerable locations such as Fish Landing Centres, as well as major, minor and intermediate ports, lighthouses, coastal police stations, control rooms and operations centres,” informed the Indian Navy.

A coastline of 7,516.6 km bordering Bay of Bengal in the East, the Indian Ocean on the South and the Arabian Sea on the West, makes it imperative for India to review its coastal security and preparedness. Coastal defence is one complex construct as it involves activities both at sea and at shore. Porous borders along the International Maritime Boundary Line bordering Pakistan have made ports located on the western coast relatively a little more sensitive to subversive activities. There are around 133 ports located along India’s western coast, spread over five states and two Union Territories.

The Indian Navy along with the Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police and other Central and state agencies is responsible for securing maritime domain. State Marine Police carries out coastal patrolling clo