The 42nd edition of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Commanders’ Conference commenced on 28 Sep 25 at the Coast Guard Headquarters in New Delhi. Spanning three days from 28 to 30 Sep 25, this premier annual forum brings together the ICG’s senior leadership to deliberate on strategic, operational, and administrative imperatives amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics and maritime security challenges.
The Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh, addressed the Conference today, engaging with Director General Paramesh Sivamani, AVSM, PTM, TM, and other senior commanders. In his keynote, the Raksha Mantri underscored the growing strategic significance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a critical corridor for global trade, energy flows, and geopolitical engagement.
The Raksha Mantri lauded the ICG’s evolution since its inception in 1977, into a formidable maritime force comprising 152 ships and 78 aircraft, embodying its motto, ‘Vayam Rakshamah’- We Protect.” He praised the ICG’s unwavering professionalism and its pivotal role in fortifying coastal security through layered maritime patrol and deployment of Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN).
On the international maritime front, he highlighted the ICG’s success in curbing foreign fishing intrusions through sustained patrolling and rigorous boarding operation. Since its inception, ICG has apprehended 1,638 foreign vessels and 13,775 foreign fishermen for illegal activities in Indian waters.
The Raksha Mantri also commended the Coast Guard’s impressive achievements in maritime law enforcement, noting seizure of over 6,430 kilograms of narcotics valued at ₹37,833 crore. These figures reflect the force’s growing effectiveness in countering transnational maritime crimes.
He emphasised the ICG’s critical role in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, the force’s commitment to ensuring that no call from the sea goes unanswered. As of Jul, this year, the ICG had conducted 76 SAR missions, saving 74 lives. To date, the service has rescued over 14,500 people through various disaster response efforts.
The Raksha Mantri also lauded the ICG’s swift and decisive action during high-risk incidents, including the MV Wan Hai 503 fire and the sinking of MV MSC ELSA-3, which showcased the force’s operational readiness and environmental protection capabilities.
Reaffirming India’s emergence as a key maritime power, he underscored the ICG’s expanding role in countering non-traditional threats including terrorism, illegal fishing, smuggling, and marine pollution. He highlighted the enhanced real-time capabilities enhanced by the CSN.
Director General Paramesh Sivamani formally inaugurated the Conference, presenting a comprehensive overview of the ICG’s recent progress, operational challenges, and strategic vision. Three day event will feature high level deliberations with key stakeholders, including the Chief of the Naval Staff and Engineer-in-Chief, aimed at enhancing inter-service synergy, improving maritime domain awareness, and operational integration.
Discussions will span a wide spectrum of agenda items, including operational performance, logistics, human resource development, training, and administration. A strategic focus will be placed on aligning future capabilities with national maritime priorities and enhancing India’s presence in the maritime domain.
Indigenisation and self-reliance will be key focus areas, with reviews on progress made under the ‘Make in India’ initiative in line with the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The Coast Guard’s growing dependence on indigenous platforms and technologies is a strong testament to this commitment.
The 42nd Commanders’ Conference reaffirms the Indian Coast Guard’s steadfast commitment to securing India’s vast maritime frontiers and its evolving role as a credible, responsive, and resilient regional maritime security provider.
