Vice Admiral (Retd) Venkat Bharathan is a graduate of the Defense Services Staff College, India as well as the Naval War College, USA. He pursued a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics and a Master of Science in Defense Studies. His most enjoyable postings were the command of an anti sub-helicopter squadron, a patrol frigate, a guided missile destroyer, performing as the Flag Officer for Sea Training, Flag Officer for Naval Aviation and Flag Officer commanding the Eastern Fleet. In addition to this, Vice Admiral Bharatan served as India’s Naval Attaché in Washington, D.C. The Government of India awarded him the Vishist Seva Medal, the Athivishist Seva Medal and the Param Vishist Seva Medal.
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Expertise
India's defense policy, Indian navy, maritime security
Mumbai is surrounded on all sides by water and is just as vulnerable to attack by sea as it was on 26/11. Maharashtra needs formalised maritime governance - a coordination of all maritime activity with a constant, collective awareness of the surrounding maritime domain.
In the context of security and sovereignty, India is involuntarily Pakistan-centric and Sino-deferential. India must deal with China with deference without degradation, firmness without confrontation, and raise the threshold of its defense posture in physical and policy measures, without upping the ante.
The Navy, Coast Guard, Police and maritime companies now encounter new threats, as piracy threatens the Indian seas and our trade routes. This calls for a united approach in combating threats and even more so, for a single governing body for maritime issues.
A broad outline on the span and scope of Maritime Governance Authority is necessary to understand its importance and the impact it would have for the sustenance of a sovereign India.
The second part of Admiral Bharathan’s piece on the importance of maritime governance in India. In this part, the author highlights the creation of institutions and adaptation of rules and regulations towards governance and management of the nation
India has several crucial maritime stakeholders, yet she remains ill-equipped to respond to any sea-borne calamity. Maritime governance is the need of the hour
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Courtesy: IndianNavy
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Courtesy: Indian Navy