Context: With an aim to bolster the maritime security of the country, the government has appointed Vice Admiral (retd) G Ashok Kumar as India’s first ‘National Maritime Security Coordinator’ (NMSC).
Fulfilling the long-needed requirement

• The creation of the post of National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC) was a long-needed requirement for keeping the country’s sea safer. 
• It is noteworthy that the Maritime Security Coordinator will directly report to the Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) and will be the principal advisor to the government on the maritime security domain.
• Importantly, a retired or serving Vice Admiral of the Navy (equivalent to a Lt-General in the Army) was considered to be appointed to the post.
• The responsibility of the NMSC will be to strengthen cooperation & bring effective coordination among various key central and state authorities dealing with the maritime domain – from the coast to the high seas.

Background

• The establishment of a post of NMSC under the National security advisor was proposed after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. 
• Back then the defense ministry had proposed the creation of a maritime security advisory board and the appointment of a maritime security adviser.  

Key significance of NMSC’s appointment
The appointment comes at a critical point in India’s strategic security environment –

• India has a 7,516-km coastline and 2 million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a single-point coordinator like the NMSC for all aspects of maritime security was much needed.  
• It also faces a threat from the China-Pakistan axis, for this India not only needs to guard itself against sea-borne non-state actors but also keep an eye on Chinese threats emanating from the Indian Ocean Region. China today has the largest navy and a maritime militia force to carry out grey-zone tactics against adversaries.  
• Global axis of power is shifting from the West to the East so the sea lanes around India are going to get busier. Countries have different interpretations of UNCLOS which may create situations like last year’s American freedom of navigation operation in India’s EEZ. 
• Trade: Also, 90% of India’s trade by volume transits through the seas.  

Hence, there is a need for enhanced maritime domain awareness to protect both security and economic interests. The NMSC will help lay the blueprint for a truly modern maritime security system.