India needs to share maritime domain awareness with the West. Red Sea crisis demands it

The Red Sea crisis, triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, underscores the importance of maritime domain awareness (MDA) for international security. This situation highlights the need for India to collaborate with Western countries to ensure safe navigation and stability in strategic maritime regions.

International Response and Strategic Shifts:

• Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG): Launched by the US in December 2023, OPG brought together a coalition of countries, including the UK, Australia, and Japan, under a defensive mandate to protect maritime routes in the Red Sea.
• Operation Poseidon Archer (OPA): Transitioning from a defensive to an offensive posture in January 2024, this operation by the US and UK aimed to deter Houthi threats but faced withdrawal of support from some European countries due to escalatory concerns.
• EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Aspides: Launched on February 19, 2024, with a defensive mandate, this operation underscores the EU's preference for independent and non-escalatory maritime security actions, complementing other EU initiatives like the Coordinated Maritime Presence (CMP).

Challenges and Implications for India:

• Independent Naval Responses: India’s solo response after failed diplomatic efforts with Iran highlighted the high costs and risks of rerouting commercial vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, emphasizing the need for coordinated maritime security strategies.
• Strategic Alignment: India’s cautious participation in the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) contrasts with its deeper engagement with EU initiatives, aligning more closely with India's vision for maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
• Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA): India's cooperation with EU-led projects like CRIMARIO-2 underscores the importance of sharing MDA to address grey zone challenges and enhance maritime security frameworks.

Pathway to Enhanced Maritime Cooperation:

• India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue: Regular consultations and joint exercises in the Gulf of Guinea and other regions strengthen strategic ties and operational convergence in maritime security.
• CRIMARIO-3 Proposal: Expanding CRIMARIO-2's mandate to 2025-2030 to enhance MDA collaboration and integrate with other European maritime initiatives like Aspides and EMASoH for comprehensive maritime security coverage.
• Operational and Political Coordination: Addressing minor operational divergences and reinforcing political commitments to defensive postures will enhance the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder maritime security architectures in the Indo-Pacific.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Discuss the significance of maritime domain awareness (MDA) for India's national security and its role in ensuring safe navigation through strategic maritime chokepoints.