NEW DELHI: India will finally have an apex federal body to handle maritime affairs, from the coastline to the high seas, and ensure cohesive policy-making and coordination among multiple authorities.
“The organisational structure of a National Maritime Commission (NMC) has been worked out after inter-ministerial consultations. It is in the final stages, requiring only the nod of the cabinet committee on security (CCS). By the middle of this year, NMC will become a reality,” says chief of defence staff Gen Bipin Rawat.
Sources say it’s likely to be headed by a “national maritime security coordinator” to usher in synergy among stakeholders, ranging from central ministries and departments (home, shipping, fisheries. etc) and state governments to the Navy, Coast Guard, customs, intelligence and port authorities.
A maritime security advisory board figured on CCS agenda after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.