MP-IDSA - Issue Brief S

Simultaneously, the State Coastal/Marine Police (SC/MP) performs boat patrolling in shallow coastal areas.11 The SCP have jurisdiction up to 12 nautical miles from the coast; and the ICG and the IN have jurisdiction over the entire maritime zone (up to 200 nautical miles), including the territorial waters (with the SMP).12 The Border Security Force (BSF) is deployed in the creek areas of Gujarat a. [...] On the other hand, it recommended that the ICG may report to the Defence Secretary, rather than to the Chief of Naval Staff.25 IN and ICG under Different Departments in MoD In 2019, the Government of India (GoI), in a landmark decision, created the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the rank of a four-star General.26 The CDS was also 22 Constitution of India, Seventh Schedule (Article 246). [...] 4 “INDIA’S MARITIME SECURITY: FIVE CONCERNS” mandated to head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), created within the MoD and function as its Secretary.27 However, while the Army, Navy and Air Force were placed under the DMA, in a conspicuous anomaly, the ICG was placed under the MoD.28 This was despite the GoM Report noting the requirement for coordination between the IN and the ICG in both. [...] Instead, ICG is mandated for ensuring the security of the maritime zones of India with a view to the protection of maritime and other national interests,30 as reflected in the CG Act 1978.31 The ICG came into being in 1977, pursuant to India promulgating the Maritime Zones of India Act (1976) and the 3rd meeting of UNCLOS (1976–82). [...] Way Ahead The mitigating solution that may be considered is to create a separate force by splitting the maritime border guarding function and the associated infrastructure, assets and the manpower of the ICG and placing it under the administrative control of the MHA.