Discuss the security threats present in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which have a direct bearing on India's maritime border interests. Suggest a robust strategy to deal with these threats.

Security threats present in IOR →

1. Vulnerability of coast → 7500km + based coastal line is vulnerable to external state & non-state actor, as seen in 26/11 attacks.

2. Piracy → infamous Gulf of Aden and horn of Africa is prone to piracy and similar attacks.

3. choke points in Strait of Malacca, palk strait can hinder smooth logistics and are prone to criminal activities.

4. Islands of Andaman & Lakshadweep are prone to drug and arms smuggling & are proximity to China's military bases of South china sea.

5. Climate & extreme weather events in Indian Ocean like cyclone, tsunami make the technological interventions vulnerable.

6. Multiple agencies - lead to duplication of work and nonstandard SOPs make the efficacy of institutions Like Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard futile

Strategy to deal with the security threats at IOR →

1. Indian coastal security scheme with strengthening of bodies and technology

2. Organisations like Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, state police for multilayered protection.

3. INCOIS led coastal vulnerability Mapping to check the proneness to danger

4. Policies like National Committee & strategy for Maritime & coastal security

5. IOR Information Fusion Centre at gurugram for monitoring & supervision

6. Naval Exercises like MILAN, Samudra shakti, Malabar etc.

7. International collaborations through BIMSTEC, IOR grouping etc.

8. Arrangements like Dugm Port Oman has Indian Base, Indo-US military arrangem-ents, Indo-France collaboration in IOR

9. Community participation - fishermen led Sagar suraksha Dal