India to Gain Access to U.S. Maritime Surveillance System

The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible sale of equipment and services to India to enhance maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense announced the decision.

If the agreement is finalized, India will gain access to the SeaVision web platform, which serves as one of the tools for ensuring maritime security.

This will enable Indian military and security agencies to respond effectively to threats and emergencies in a key region of the world’s oceans, particularly in light of the tense relations between countries in the area.

The potential sale includes the SeaVision software, training, and analytical support.

In addition, access will be provided to SeaVision documentation and other related logistics and software support elements. The estimated total cost is $131 million.

The primary contractor for implementing the future agreement will be Hawkeye 360.

SeaVision is a web-based maritime domain awareness platform developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is designed to enhance maritime situational awareness, support maritime operations, strengthen security, and promote maritime partnerships.

The platform allows users to access and share a wide range of maritime information, as well as obtain near real-time access to unclassified data through a shared data network. SeaVision is primarily used in the United States, particularly by the Department of the Navy. A limited number of partner countries also have access to the system and contribute data to it.

Conflict Could Also Erupt at Sea

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following a terrorist attack in the disputed region of Kashmir, where militants shot and killed around fifty tourists. The government in Delhi publicly accused Islamabad of supporting the militants, stating that cross-border links between the terrorist group and the neighboring country had been identified.

Immediately after its statement, India announced a unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the shared use of the Indus River waters between the two countries.

Pakistan rejected the statement, calling the international agreement legally binding and asserting that it cannot be suspended without mutual consent. Around the same time, both countries intensified military exercises and started placing their ground forces, navy, and air force on heightened alert.