2024 JFIPP Research Fellow - Pratnashree Basu

Project Summary

This project will assess the role of maritime domain awareness (MDA) among three countries - Japan, India, and the Philippines, in: (a) contributing to the maintenance of a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific maritime space; (b) strengthening international maritime laws and norms; and (c) fostering stronger alliances and partnerships by promoting joint operations and intelligence sharing.

Involving the building of records of sea movements, transportation data, and reported incidents, which helps identify patterns, prioritize law enforcement actions, and predict illegal and extra-legal activities, MDA is the engine room for national and regional maritime security. MDA strengthens maritime governance through international collaboration and advanced data technology, reducing costs and capacity gaps. It fosters trust and rapid crisis response and serves as the backbone of maritime security governance.

Cooperation on MDA in the Indo-Pacific among Japan, India, and the Philippines is significant and strategic due to their pivotal roles in regional security and maritime trade. India and Japan are major economic powers with extensive coastlines, while the Philippines, at a crucial maritime crossroads, faces unique security challenges. Japan emphasizes MDA for maritime security, highlighted in the third Basic Plan on Ocean Policy (BPOP) and the MDA Situational Indication Linkage (MSIL) framework established in 2019. India is enhancing its maritime capabilities with budget increases for new platforms and technology and developing its National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) project to create an integrated intelligence grid, positioning itself as a regional stabilizing force. The Philippines' National Security Policy prioritizes safeguarding its maritime interests, with MDA recognized as crucial for enhancing capacities like the Coast Watch System (CWS). This study will assess how together, these nations can leverage their complementary strengths to enhance MDA, ensuring the security of vital sea lanes, supporting a rules-based order, and promoting regional stability and economic integration.