QUESTION 20
GS3
12.5 marks
In 2012, the longitudinal marking for high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65 degrees east to 78 degrees east in the Arabian Sea by the International Maritime Organization. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security concerns?
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Assess how extending the piracy high-risk area to 78 degrees East affected India's maritime security.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Effect: India's west coast and Lakshadweep fell inside the HRA; war-risk insurance premiums and freight costs rose for ships bound for Indian ports≈35 words
- 2Armed guards: private armed security on merchant ships near Indian waters; floating armouries; legal issues on weapons≈35 words
- 3Incidents: Enrica Lexie (2012) where Italian marines killed two Kerala fishermen; MV Seaman Guard Ohio (2013) seized with arms≈35 words
- 4India's response: Navy anti-piracy patrols in Gulf of Aden since 2008, coastal security, diplomacy; HRA was rolled back in 2015≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Context of Somali piracyWhat the shift didEconomic impactSecurity and legal issuesIndia's response
Where marks usually go
- Not linking to the Enrica Lexie case
- Missing the economic cost to Indian trade
Draw this
- Map of the Arabian Sea showing 65E and 78E lines and the Indian coast
Value addition
- CaseEnrica Lexie case: the arbitral tribunal (2020) held India entitled to compensation but gave Italy immunity for the marines; India's Supreme Court closed the case in 2021.PCA, 2020; Supreme Court, 2021
- ExampleAfter Indian efforts, the shipping industry rolled the HRA boundary back from 78E in 2015.Shipping industry, 2015
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 50 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
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