Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) as a Public Policy Instrument in the New Global Order

The underwater environment is now central to global strategic, ecological, and economic interests, but current governance is fragmented. MSP is proposed as the essential interface that converts UDA (systematic collection and analysis of subsurface data) into informed policy results, creating a self-reinforcing governance cycle.

Globally, frameworks like UNCLOS and SDG 14 provide the foundation for MSP, yet full UDA integration remains indirect and nascent. The Indo-Pacific presents a unique challenge, marked by geopolitical rivalry, vulnerable submarine cables, and rich biodiversity (e.g., the Coral Triangle). While regional efforts like the IORA-BIMSTEC MoU show strong commitment, territorial disputes and a lack of legally enforceable protections for infrastructure remain hurdles.

Nationally, India's Blue Economy initiatives (e.g., Deep Ocean Mission, Matsya 6000) demonstrate a strategic intent for UDA, but face persistent challenges: fragmented governance across ministries, implementation gaps in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules, and an MSP structure that is young and not fully integrated. A comprehensive policy viability framework reveals shortcomings, including a lack of political consensus on transboundary issues, exclusion of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), technological limitations in tropical waters, and weak legal protection for underwater cables. The way forward requires strengthening UDA, establishing clear national MSP laws, implementing adaptive, dynamic planning, and advancing regional MSP diplomacy

• Conceptual Cycle: MSP acts as the mechanism that converts Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA)—situational knowledge of the subsurface environment—into informed Public Policy, creating a dynamic, self-reinforcing cycle of awareness → planning → policy.

• Function: MSP goes beyond simple zoning; it is a methodical, data-driven, and participatory process to allocate marine space for human activities (e.g., defense corridors, energy, fisheries) while ensuring long-term sustainability
• Global Gaps: While global frameworks like UNCLOS and IMO guide ocean use, they have "legal loopholes" regarding the explicit protection of vital underwater infrastructure, and their encouragement of comprehensive UDA integration is often indirect.
• Indo-Pacific Complexity: The region is a geopolitical flashpoint with critical Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and vulnerable undersea telecommunications cables. Despite regional efforts like the IOC WESTPAC framework, challenges include territorial conflicts and the inadequate legal protection of submarine assets.