India’s Coast Guard: An Imperative in Indo-Pacific Security

By Ritika Bhattacharya

Published on November 21, 2024

In a significant boost to regional maritime security, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) has unveiled its plans for joint coast guard patrolling initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. This is a substantial step towards combined maritime operations under the banner of the ‘QUAD’. This initiative is a result of the 2022 Pacific Maritime Security Program which aimed at enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities in Pacific nations. In the QUAD summit 2024,  US President Joe Biden addressed the China challenge more directly, pointing out how China continues to behave aggressively in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, South China, South Asia and the Taiwan straits. It is noteworthy that  the  agreement of Quad-at-sea ship observer mission is set to begin next year with the objective of monitoring fishing vessels for illegal activity. Interestingly, China does have the world’s largest distant-water fishing fleet, and its fishing operations have been repeatedly linked to illegal, unauthorized and unreported (IUU) fishing. The QUAD partners have also decided to expand the Indo-Pacific partnership for maritime domain awareness initiative for Southeast Asia to the entire India Ocean. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) plays a pivotal role in this aspect. As a key sentinel safeguarding India’s vast coastline, maritime interests, and exclusive economic zones (EEZ), it actively contributes to not only protect India’s coastal waters but is also a key player in fostering peace and stability across the strategically significant maritime domain.

States with access to and control over the oceans, tend to have an upper-hand in various aspects including global trade and commerce, economic growth and development, energy security and strategic military advantage. Therefore, it is very important for every state that  has a coastline to safeguard its area as well as defend it from external challenges. In that manner, coast guards play a significant role in maritime security, serving as the first line of defense against various threats in the sea.

Coast Guards also looks after the enforcement of laws, economic and resource protection, search and rescue operations. India with an extensive coastline, cannot think of security without Coast Guards. India’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zones, up to 200 nautical miles fall under the jurisdiction of ICG. Presently, the ICG operates with a fleet strength of 113 vessels, 64 aircrafts, 45 interceptor boats and 18 air cushion vehicles(hovercraft), supported by a personnel strength of approximately 11,474.

The ICG has some major functions:

·  Ensuring the safety and protection of artificial Islands, offshore terminals, installations and other structures and devices in any maritime zone.

·  Providing protection and assistance to fishermen in distress while at Sea.

·  Preservation and protection of our maritime environment including prevention and control of marine pollution.

·  Assisting the Customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations.

·  Enforcement of Maritime Zones of India Act.

·  Precautionary measures for the safety of life and property at sea and collection of scientific data.

The ICG came into being on February 1, 1977 and operates under the Ministry of Defense, working closely with the Indian Navy, Department of Fisheries, Department of Revenue (customs) and the Central Armed Police Forces. ICG’s   many notable achievements include the recapture of the hijacked Panamanian-registered Japanese cargo ship in 1999. ICG has embraced the “Make in India” initiative by commissioning indigenously built ships and aircraft enhancing major scope for national capabilities. This year, ICG celebrated its 48^th Raising day on February 1^st in New Delhi, marking its journey from a humble beginning in 1977 to becoming a powerful force in maritime security. With its motto “Vayam Rakshamah” (We Protect), the ICG has saved 11,554 lives since its inception, solidifying its reputation as a renowned coast guard globally. The ICG’s commitment to safety and security is unwavering, maintaining a 24/7 vigil in India’s maritime zones. Additionally, it has also been successful in seizing weapons, contraband and narcotics worth Rs.15, 343 crore since its inception. With its significant growth, ICG has become the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world.

India’s geographic midpoint in the Indo-Pacific allows it to influence key maritime routes that are vital for international trade. However,  China and its intentions in the Indo-Pacific region, mainly in the Indian Ocean is a matter of serious concern For India. China’s military presence, infrastructure development, economic and diplomatic engagement and maritime mapping are potential challenges to India’s maritime vicinity, and its maritime partners. ICG  has been actively monitoring Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean Region, including the presence of research vessels and naval ships. Its vessels and aircrafts are involved in collecting intelligence on Chinese naval movements. ICG has been conducting regular patrolling near important straits and choke points, helping to monitor and potentially deter Chinese activities.  

Besides  China, ICG in the Indo-Pacific region faces another challenge i.e., terrorism. Notably, the sea routes were used for carrying out  two major attacks in India- the 1993 Mumbai blasts and the 26/11/2008 Mumbai terror attacks. ICG is also prone to other challenges such as combating piracy. It successfully prevented around 40 piracy attacks and escorted over 1000 ships of various nationalities. Maritime smuggling is another major challenge. In a recent operation, the ICG seized 450 kg of sea cucumbers (a protected marine species) near Mandapam in Tamil Nadu. It has also been involved in significant anti-narcotics operations. In one of such cases, ICG has seized 173 kg of drugs from an Indian fishing boat in collaboration with the Anti-Terrorist Squat (ATS) of Gujarat. In a recent incident, on 26 April 2024, ICG ship Rajratan and Gujarat ATS team apprehended a Pakistani Fishing Boat “AL RAZA” along with 14 Pakistani nationals off Gujarat involved in Drug Trafficking. ICG not only combats   traditional challenges but also tackle  non-traditional challenges . Natural calamities is one of such challenges.  During the cyclone YAAS in 2021, the ICG mobilized 37 Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) and deployed ships and aircraft for rescue operations, analyzing the need for protection against extreme weather events.

From the aspect of countering challenges and exploring more opportunities, ICG can cooperate with regional navies and coast guards. One example of this is when the ICG and the Philippine Coast Guard signed a MoU at the Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi on 22 August 2023 to enhance maritime law enforcement, search and rescue marine pollution response. The ICG also established the India-ASEAN Marine Pollution Response Centre (IAMPRC) in November 2022 in Chennai to address marine pollution in the region. Through various multilateral forums, ICG collaborates with maritime agencies to achieve its goals. This includes the  Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). It has also collaborated with the Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS).  Along with these, ICG has established MoU with countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Korea and Oman. A biennial exercise ‘Dosti’ is being conducted by the ICG with the Maldives National Defense Force Coast Guard (MNDF) since 1991 which also includes Sri Lanka now.

Serving as the fourth largest coast guard in the world, ICG has bigger responsibilities. The challenges that ICG faces can only be addressed by increasing surveillance, fostering cooperation with regional navies, such as the US, Japan and Australia and most importantly modernizing its fleets. ICG’s role is a comprehensive one, tackling both traditional and non-traditional security threats, and hence, bolstering its capability and capacity is imperative for India’s own national security and for contributing to the broader goal of ensuring maritime security and stability.

*The Author is a Research Intern at the Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies (KIIPS). She is currently pursuing her Masters in Political Science from Dibrugarh University, Assam.

Disclaimer: The Views in the Article are of the Author.