India's maritime security governance challenges: A decade after “26/11”

ABSTRACTConsequent upon the Mumbai attacks between 26 and 29 November 2008 (“26/11”) by Pakistan-based terrorists, the coastal (and maritime) security construct in India witnessed significant developments; perhaps, like no other decade in the history of independent India. As a result, key areas which found particular focus were: strengthening maritime governance by establishing inter-agency coordination mechanisms; capacity-building and capability-enhancement of maritime security agencies; developing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) through electronic surveillance; greater oversight of activities in the maritime domain, particularly fishing; and, an inclusive approach to security by including communities and private bodies in the security-construct. These developments are indicative of a Whole-of-Government (WoG) approach to maritime security. As some major notable reports have indicated, despite these significant developments, challenges to maritime security governance remain. This paper encapsulates some...