Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called upon the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to continue working with dedication and professionalism towards bolstering the coastal defences and maritime capabilities of the country. Inaugurating the 40th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on November 30, 2023, the Defence Minister complimented the ICG for ensuring maritime security by being in the vanguard in the field of search & rescue and pollution response.

“The ICG, since its inception, has rendered a yeoman service to the seafarers by ensuring their safety and security in all circumstances,” said Rajnath Singh. He stressed on the need to continue the drive against contraband and drug trafficking.

During the conference, the Defence Minister was given an overview on the ongoing development projects, operational readiness and future expansion plans of the ICG by Director General Rakesh Pal. The three-day conference aims at addressing contemporary maritime challenges and fortifying the country’s coastal surveillance mechanisms. It is being attended by senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and the ICG.

The conference agenda encompasses a wide spectrum of crucial topics, including enhancing maritime safety and security such as search & rescue operations, maritime pollution response, drive against contraband/drug trafficking, safety of fishermen/seafarers at sea, optimising coastal security measures, fostering inter-agency coordination, and promoting Maritime Domain Awareness.

The conference is held annually, where all the officers put forth the roadmap for the future and discuss various policy and strategic issues. It aims to carve out a futuristic vision for the service and to determine the modalities to overcome the challenges efficiently.