Mumbai: The country's new maritime security architecture in the pipeline after the November terrorist attacks includes both a coastal command (CC) and a maritime security advisory board (MSAB) to establish "effective functional linkages and mechanisms" across the entire maritime domain. Defence minister A K Antony said the formal proposals would soon be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval. "We have already entrusted major responsibilities to Coast Guard. At the same time, Navy, state coastal police, central excise, customs and shipping ministry have all now become pro-active," said Antony, on the sidelines of the centenary celebrations of 'Sainik Samachar'.
Though the new architecture is yet to take final shape, officials said the CC would be headed by the Coast Guard director-general, while MSAB would have a maritime security advisor (MSA) as its chief. Both the CC and MSAB chiefs, consequently, will be three-star Vice-Admirals. [5/1/09]
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