NEW DELHI, SEPT 17: Minister of State for Defence Shri Sanjay Seth on Thursday called upon the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to remain prepared for emerging maritime security challenges by keeping pace with rapid technological advancements, as the 43rd ICG Commanders’ Conference commenced in New Delhi.
Interacting with Director General ICG Paramesh Sivamani and Coast Guard commanders on the opening day of the three-day conference, Seth commended the ICG for safeguarding India’s maritime interests, strengthening coastal security and acting as the first responder during emergencies at sea. He also appreciated the force for saving precious lives during maritime distress, irrespective of nationality.
Seth said the character of warfare and security challenges was changing rapidly, underlining the growing importance of networks, sensors, software, data, Artificial Intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities and space-based technologies.
He stressed the need to harness emerging technologies to enhance operational effectiveness and called upon the ICG to move beyond being merely a user of new technologies and become a co-creator by working closely with start-ups, industry, DRDO and research institutions.
“Aatmanirbharta is not merely about buying Indian; it is about developing solutions for Indian challenges and creating capabilities that can meet global requirements. This embodies our vision of ‘Make in India, Make of World’,” the Minister of State for Defence said.
Highlighting the ICG’s crucial role in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Seth said capabilities developed for maritime security also contribute significantly to search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response and pollution control operations.
He underscored the importance of strengthening India’s maritime capabilities across the spectrum—from the littoral and green waters to open oceans and blue waters—in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
The Minister of State for Defence stressed the need for advanced platforms, underwater technologies, unmanned systems, long-endurance surveillance capabilities, satellite-enabled maritime domain awareness and secure communications.
“As India’s maritime responsibilities expand, our capabilities must expand with them, from our coasts to the wider maritime domain,” he said.
During the conference, ICG Commanders will also interact with Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan to promote greater inter-service coordination across the full spectrum of maritime security.
The three-day conference provides a platform for ICG Commanders to comprehensively review operational preparedness, material and logistical support, human resource development, training and administrative initiatives undertaken over the past year.
The deliberations will also focus on identifying key milestones required to safeguard India’s maritime interests against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical dynamics and increasingly complex maritime security challenges.
The Commanders will further assess ongoing projects aimed at strengthening indigenisation through the ‘Make in India’ initiative, in alignment with the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
