In news

The Indian Navy's proposal to have a multi-agency integrated body focusing exclusively on maritime intelligence and data analysis to strengthen coastal security is likely to start early next year.

Details

• The National Maritime Domain Awareness Centre (NMDAC) is envisaged on the existing Multi Agency Centre (MAC) where intelligence inputs from all agencies are shared at a common platform, but this will only focus on maritime intelligence.
• The proposal is awaiting clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) 
• Cabinet Committee on Security includes the ministers of Home, Defence, Finance and External Affairs.

Challenges at Sea

• At any given time, there are close to 12,000 ships in the Indian Ocean Region and hundreds of fishing vessels that need to be always monitored.
• There are close to 3 lakh Indian fishing vessels operating in the sea.
• With the highest density of fishing vessels in its territorial waters for a country of its size, India's maritime security challenges need focused attention.

China has enhanced its forays into the Indian Ocean Region over the last few years and the terror threat from Pakistan always existing a focused approach for enhancing maritime domain awareness has been the need of the hour.

Proposal

The body will have representation and get real-time inputs from

• Intelligence Bureau (IB),
• Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW),
• National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO),
• Indian Coast Guard,
• Customs,
• Ministry of shipping,
• Department of fisheries and over 300 marine police stations and
• State agencies along India's 7516 km of coastline.

Significance

• Once implemented, the NMDAC will collate information and data from multiple sources for swifter action.
• It will enhance situational awareness, lead to pooling of manpower.
• It will cut down duplication of work and expenditure of national agencies.

Source: The Hindu