Defence Minister urges Coast Guard to harness technology, build roadmap for 2047

New Delhi, September 29. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 29 inaugurated the 42nd Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Commanders’ Conference at the ICG headquarters in New Delhi, lauding the maritime force for its professionalism, humanitarian service, and vital role in securing India’s 7,500-km-long coastline and island territories.

The three-day conference, being held from September 28 to 30, brings together the ICG’s top leadership to deliberate on strategic, operational, and administrative priorities in the face of evolving maritime security challenges and the rising importance of the Indian Ocean Region.

A pillar of national security

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, Rajnath Singh described the Coast Guard as a “vital pillar of national security” that has transformed from a modest fleet at its inception into a formidable force with 152 vessels and 78 aircraft. He said the ICG has earned both citizens’ trust and global recognition for its professionalism and humanitarian record.

Highlighting its unique mandate at the intersection of external and internal security, Singh noted that while the armed forces focus on external threats and other agencies deal with internal issues, the ICG straddles both spheres. Its patrols of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) deter external threats while also addressing illegal fishing, smuggling, drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking, marine pollution, and irregular maritime activities.

Indigenisation drive

The Defence Minister underscored the government’s push for self-reliance, noting that nearly 90 percent of the ICG’s capital budget is spent on indigenous assets. He said India’s capacity to build and maintain ships and aircraft domestically has boosted both security and the shipbuilding sector.

Complex maritime borders

Contrasting land and maritime frontiers, Rajnath Singh pointed out that maritime boundaries are fluid and unpredictable, making vigilance more complex.

“A smuggling vessel may look like a fishing boat, a terrorist group may exploit the openness of the sea – threats at sea demand constant alertness,” he said, stressing on the challenges posed by India’s coastline and island territories.

Humanitarian role and women empowerment

Singh praised the ICG’s disaster response record, from cyclones and oil spills to rescue operations at sea. He also hailed its strides in women’s participation, with women officers now serving as pilots, observers, hovercraft operators, and in other frontline roles.

Technology-driven threats

Acknowledging the increasingly sophisticated nature of maritime threats, Rajnath Singh said adversaries now use tools like GPS spoofing, drones, encrypted communications, and dark web networks. He stressed the need to integrate AI, Machine Learning, drones, and cyber defence into the ICG’s security framework.

“Cyber and electronic warfare are no longer future threats but present realities,” he warned, urging the ICG to continuously adapt through advanced training and equipment upgrades.

Regional and economic security

Rajnath Singh also drew attention to the spillover effects of instability in neighbouring countries, especially in the Bay of Bengal, and linked maritime security directly with economic stability. Ports, shipping lanes, and energy infrastructure are “lifelines of the nation’s economy”, he said, adding that disruptions could have cascading impacts.

Roadmap for 2047

Calling on the ICG to prepare a futuristic roadmap, Singh said preparedness, adaptability, and rapid response must remain central to its vision. He reminded commanders that India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 rests on prosperity and security, urging them to uphold the service’s motto, ‘Vayam Rakshamah’ (We Protect).

Conference agenda and achievements

The conference, inaugurated by ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani, is focusing on enhancing inter-service coordination, maritime domain awareness, and aligning future capabilities with national priorities.

The ICG has apprehended 1,638 foreign vessels and nearly 13,800 fishermen for illegal activities in Indian waters, seized narcotics worth Rs. 37,833 crore, and rescued over 14,500 lives in disaster response operations since its inception. By July this year alone, it had conducted 76 search and rescue missions, saving 74 lives.

Its operational readiness has also been demonstrated during incidents such as the MV Wan Hai 503 fire and the sinking of MV MSC ELSA-3 off the Kerala coast.

Senior officials, including Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, attended the inaugural session.