India is planning to set up Coastal Radar Stations in Maldives, Myanmar & Bangladesh as part of its plan to expand the area under Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN). An expanded CSN will help in Real time monitoring of the high seas for threats & Expanding India’s assistance for capacity building to Indian Ocean littoral (places close to shore) states.
India has already integrated Mauritius, Seychelles & Sri Lanka into its CSN, and discussions are being held to bring Bangladesh & Thailand into the network.
Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN):
i.CSN a surveillance system gained momentum after the 26/11 Terror Strikes in Mumbai. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was additionally designated as authority responsible for coastal security in territorial waters.
ii.As part of the efforts to boost CSN,
- ICG setup 46 Coastal radar stations across India’s coastline & Islands under CSN Phase-I at a cost of INR 600 crores.
- In order to achieve gap-free surveillance of India’s entire coastline, 38 static Radar Stations, 4 Mobile Surveillance Systems & integration of VTMS (Vessel Traffic Management Systems) connectivity at Gulf of Kutch & Gulf of Khambhat are under construction under CSN phase-II at a cost of INR 800 crores.
iii.The CSN will comprise a chain of Static Sensors having Radars, Automatic Identification System (AIS), Day/Night Cameras & Met sensors.
Information Management & Analysis Centre (IMAC):
i.Indian Navy’s IMAC which is located at Gurugram Air Force Station, Haryana is responsible for linking information from high seas & India’s coastline and Island Territories i.e maritime data fusion.
ii.As part of Information exchange regarding traffic from high seas, Indian Government has authorised Indian Navy to conclude ‘white shipping agreements’ with 36 Countries & 3 multilateral Constructs.
- IMAC was set up after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is the nodal agency for maritime data fusion.
- Out of which, Agreements have concluded only with 22 countries & 1 Construct.
- 17 Agreements & 1 multilateral constructs have been operationalised.
Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR):
i.The IFC-IOR Centre was set up in IMAC in 2018 as a regional information coordination body.
ii.It coordinates with 21 partner countries & 22 multi-national agencies.
iii.International Liaison Officers (ILO) from France, Japan & the United States have joined IFC-IOR.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
Director General of ICG (DGICG) – Krishnaswamy Natarajan
Motto-“Vayam Rakshamah” meaning “We Protect”
Headquarters – New Delhi
