ICG Commanders’ Conference focuses on emerging maritime threats, technology and self-reliance
New Delhi, Sep 17. The 43rd Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Commanders’ Conference began in New Delhi on September 17 with an emphasis on strengthening maritime security capabilities, harnessing emerging technologies and enhancing preparedness to deal with evolving threats at sea.
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, who interacted with ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani and senior Coast Guard commanders on the opening day of the three-day conference, commended the force for safeguarding India’s maritime interests, maintaining coastal security and acting as a first responder during emergencies at sea.
Seth noted that the Coast Guard has played a crucial role in saving lives during maritime distress, irrespective of the nationality of those in need of assistance. He called on the force to remain prepared for emerging security challenges by keeping pace with rapid advances in technology.
The minister said the nature of warfare and security threats was changing rapidly, increasing the importance of networks, sensors, software, data, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities and space-based technologies.
He urged the Coast Guard to go beyond being a user of emerging technologies and become a co-creator of solutions by working closely with startups, industry, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and research institutions.
Emphasising the government’s focus on self-reliance, Seth said ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) should not be confined to purchasing domestically manufactured equipment but should involve developing solutions for India’s specific challenges while creating capabilities with global relevance.
He also highlighted the Coast Guard’s expanding role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, pointing out that capabilities developed for maritime security also contribute to search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response and marine pollution control.
The minister stressed the need to strengthen India’s maritime capabilities across the entire spectrum, from the littoral and green waters to the open oceans and blue-water areas, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
He called for greater focus on advanced platforms, underwater technologies, unmanned systems, long-endurance surveillance capabilities, satellite-enabled maritime domain awareness and secure communication systems.
“As India’s maritime responsibilities expand, our capabilities must expand with them, from our coasts to the wider maritime domain,” Seth said.
During the conference, Coast Guard commanders are scheduled to interact with Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan to strengthen coordination among the armed forces on maritime security issues.
The three-day conference provides a forum for senior ICG commanders to review the force’s operational preparedness, logistics and material support, human-resource development, training and administrative initiatives undertaken over the past year.
The deliberations will also examine key capability-development and infrastructure projects against the backdrop of changing geopolitical conditions and the increasingly complex maritime security environment.
The commanders will further review projects aimed at enhancing indigenous capabilities under the ‘Make in India’ initiative and advancing the government’s objective of building a self-reliant defence ecosystem under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India).
