What are the Implications of India's Coastline Revision?

By Amitav Mookherjee

With the Government of India notifying the length of India’s coastline as 11098.81 kms in Apr 2025, increased from the previous 7516.6 kms (a 48% increase), it is essential for policy analysts to consider the reasons and impact of such a change. This short analysis aims to understand this change and its implications.

A coastal state or a country having sea coast, needs to accurately depict its coastline, and other important maritime zones by first calculating, depicting and notifying the baseline, and thereafter promulgating the maritime zones i.e. Territorial Waters, Contiguous Zone, EEZ, Internal Waters etc. This is most important in many contexts, be it security, military, economic, legal, policing or other sovereign functions. As stipulated in UNCLOS 82, the baseline or base points are measured from the low-tide mark, and is the first step towards identifying geographical extent of maritime zones. The baseline and maritime zones are based upon largely accepted international norms. The coastline on the other hand is measured from the high-water mark and provides a basis for governance activities, development and planning statistics, and are promulgated by a coastal nation based upon many factors, including environmental, technological and security related.

India has nine coastal states, two Union Territories and two island territories (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep). As per established regulations, taking into account complex coastal formations, indentations, bays, inlets, estuaries, etc., and with latest technological methods, scale of survey, calculation method; factoring in resolved maritime issues and an assertive policy, India has now changed the coastline notified in the 70s (as 7516.6 kms) to a greatly enhanced 11098.81 kms. (India’s land border is 15,200 kms in length.)

In comparison to the Indian coast, Canada has the longest coastline (approx.) 200,000 kms, followed by Norway (100,000 km) and Indonesia (54,000 km). The US coastline is estimated at 20,000 km, while China’s is at 14,500 km. India, despite being surrounded by water bodies on three sides, being the 7th largest country and possessing extensive island territories, in terms of coastline length, was previously 20th, even behind Türkiye. With this new notification, India rises to 14th in the list, with its coastline comparable to China. China’s cartographic aggression especially in the South China Sea and distorting historical precedents for seeking expedient strategic advantage is well known. India too has brought together multiple ministries and  agencies viz. MoD, MHA, MEA, Border Management Division, NSCS, Shipping, Ports, Fishing, Survey of India and few others, to bring about this change. Since promulgation of coastline is a sovereign function (not directly under UNCLOS stipulations), nation’s regularly declare their coastline length after due process by the Government agencies.

This substantial increase in coastline gives clear direction to government agencies, policy analysts and security experts on the scale of managing a vast coastal border, to ensure maritime security, allocate appropriate resources, undertake infrastructure augmentation as well as economic implications especially for sea-based resources and blue economy. Second or third order consequences may include more allocation for coastal policing, additional tasks for Coast Guard and Marine Police, more resources/infrastructure/allocation for security and State level coastal governance issues.

The narrative of viewing India’s security from a largely continental framework certainly needs a rethink, with emergent contemporary and non-traditional challenges being maritime in nature. Public policy experts need to factor in this vast coastline and maritime zones to safeguard national interests and aims, and ensure that maritime security and economic interests are secured. Aspects of coastal security, fisheries regulations, blue economy, hydrography, climate change action, ocean governance, natural disaster management and human security are all impacted and need closer assessment for effective policy perspectives.

Apart from maritime domain, which has significant impact on India’s security and economic dynamics, this reconfiguration is an assertion of India’s comprehensive power, a signal of the geo-political heft and a nuanced shift in narrative as a global player rather than a regional or continental one.

(Note: The author is a student of Takshashila’s Graduate Certificate in Public Policy programme - GCPP 41)