New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to intensify technological vigilance and enhance indigenous capabilities to safeguard the nation’s maritime frontiers.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 42nd ICG Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on 29 September, he highlighted the need for advanced surveillance and self-reliant infrastructure to meet evolving threats across India’s 7,500 km coastline and island territories.
Singh stressed that India’s maritime borders are far more complex and unpredictable than land boundaries, making round-the-clock monitoring and rapid response critical. He warned that adversaries are increasingly exploiting sophisticated tools such as GPS spoofing, drones, encrypted networks and cyberattacks.
To counter these challenges, he urged the ICG to integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, cyber defence systems, and automated response mechanisms into its operations.
“Traditional methods are no longer sufficient; we must stay ahead of criminals and adversaries,” he said, underscoring the growing risk of cyber and electronic warfare.
The minister also reinforced the government’s focus on indigenisation, noting that nearly 90 per cent of the ICG’s capital budget is devoted to Indian-built ships and aircraft. This commitment, he said, strengthens both operational readiness and the domestic shipbuilding industry, advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Singh praised the Coast Guard’s seamless coordination with the Navy, civil authorities and other security agencies, calling it a “force multiplier” in safeguarding national interests.
Commending the ICG’s humanitarian and disaster-response record, as well as its strides in women’s participation, Singh concluded that technological preparedness and indigenous capability will be the twin pillars of India’s future maritime security.
The three-day conference, running through September 30, brings together senior leadership to chart strategic and operational priorities for the Indian Ocean Region amid rising geopolitical and technological challenges.
