Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would move forward “very seriously” on strengthening India's coastal security over the next two years, stressing the need for closer coordination among security agencies and coastal states to safeguard the country's vast maritime frontier.
Addressing a coastal security meeting in Mumbai, Shah said the Centre had undertaken several measures to strengthen the security architecture along India's coastline and would further accelerate the process. He underlined the importance of ensuring that agencies responsible for maritime and coastal security work in close coordination and respond effectively to emerging challenges.
Technology to strengthen surveillance
Shah stressed greater use of technology to improve surveillance and information-sharing, while calling for gaps in the existing coastal security mechanism to be identified and addressed. He said coastal security required continuous attention because of India's long coastline and the strategic importance of its ports, islands and maritime infrastructure.
The Home Minister also emphasised strengthening coordination between the Indian Coast Guard, state marine police and other stakeholders involved in securing coastal areas. Regular exercises, better communication systems and effective intelligence-sharing are considered crucial to preventing infiltration and responding quickly to suspicious activity at sea.
States asked to strengthen preparedness
Shah called upon coastal states and Union Territories to strengthen their marine policing capabilities and ensure that the infrastructure and manpower created for coastal security are effectively utilised. The Centre has been working with states to improve coastal police stations, surveillance systems, boats and other infrastructure required for patrolling vulnerable stretches.
The renewed push comes as the government seeks to build a more integrated coastal security framework capable of responding to conventional as well as emerging maritime challenges. Shah said the MHA would take the issue forward with particular seriousness over the next two years, with implementation and coordination expected to remain central to the government's approach.