SEP 29: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 42nd Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Commanders’ Conference at ICG Headquarters in New Delhi on September 29, 2025, highlighting the service’s evolving role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests. The three-day conference, running from September 28–30, brings together senior leadership to deliberate on strategic, operational, and technological priorities amid rising challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
Calling the ICG a pillar of national security, Shri Rajnath Singh praised its transformation from a modest fleet to a formidable force with 152 vessels and 78 aircraft. He emphasised its unique position at the intersection of internal and external security, handling diverse responsibilities from deterring illegal fishing and narcotics smuggling to disaster relief and environmental protection.
The Raksha Mantri underlined the complexity of maritime borders compared to land frontiers, stressing the need for constant vigilance, advanced technology, and round-the-clock surveillance. He pointed to the ICG’s humanitarian role, which has saved over 14,500 lives, and noted its success in seizing narcotics worth nearly ₹37,833 crore.
Highlighting women’s empowerment, Shri Rajnath Singh commended the deployment of women officers in frontline roles as pilots, observers, and operators, reflecting inclusive growth within the force.
He also stressed the importance of technology-driven security, cautioning that cyber and electronic warfare are real-time threats. He urged the ICG to integrate AI, drones, and automated systems to ensure rapid response capabilities. Nearly 90% of ICG’s capital budget is now spent on indigenous platforms, strengthening both security and India’s shipbuilding industry.
Concluding, the Raksha Mantri urged the ICG to develop a futuristic roadmap for 2047, aligned with India’s vision of becoming a secure, prosperous, and self-reliant nation.
 Commanders’ Conference at ICG Headquarters in New Delhi on){kind=link}