ICG Hosts Seminar to Boost Coastal Security Through Tech and Coordination

In a strategic push to enhance India’s maritime safety framework, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Eastern Seaboard Headquarters convened a high-level seminar titled "Strengthening Coastal Security through Surveillance, Technology, and Inter-Agency Coordination" from July 31 to August 1, 2025, in Visakhapatnam. The seminar served as a critical platform for evaluating the existing coastal security framework, identifying systemic gaps, and developing robust strategies to ensure a more secure and resilient coastline.

Held under the chairpersonship of Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs, the two-day event brought together a diverse set of maritime security stakeholders. These included representatives from the Indian Coast Guard, Intelligence Bureau, Customs, Narcotics Control Bureau, Coastal Security Police, Port Authorities, Fisheries Departments, and state-level maritime agencies.

A Holistic Review of India's Coastal Security

The seminar aimed to undertake a comprehensive assessment of India’s coastal defence mechanisms, which have undergone significant transformation over the past decade in response to evolving maritime threats. With over 7,500 km of coastline and a complex network of ports, shipping lanes, and coastal communities, India’s maritime borders demand continuous vigilance and a cohesive security strategy.

Key objectives of the seminar included:

• Identifying operational and administrative challenges faced by coastal states and agencies

• Enhancing real-time surveillance and monitoring capabilities using advanced technologies

• Strengthening inter-agency coordination and intelligence-sharing frameworks

• Developing uniform standard operating procedures (SOPs) for joint maritime responses

• Bolstering coastal community engagement and awareness programs

Collaborative Synergy: The Need of the Hour

In his keynote address, Dr. Rajendra Kumar stressed the importance of a multi-layered, integrated coastal security construct that unites maritime and land-based forces with intelligence and enforcement agencies.

“India’s coastline is an economic and strategic lifeline. Safeguarding it requires unwavering synergy among all agencies—civilian, paramilitary, and intelligence. We must move beyond silos and build a seamless grid of information, surveillance, and action,” he noted.

The seminar acknowledged that coastal security cannot be a standalone responsibility of the Coast Guard but must involve shared accountability and seamless coordination between various departments, including fisheries, customs, narcotics, shipping, and state police forces.

Focus Areas and Discussion Themes

Participants engaged in technical sessions and tabletop exercises covering a wide range of themes, including:

• Integration of Satellite Surveillance, Drones, and AI for early warning and response

• Coastal Radar Chain Expansion and real-time maritime traffic tracking

• Detection and interception of illegal activities such as smuggling, human trafficking, and narcotics

• Role of coastal communities in reporting suspicious activities and strengthening local vigilance

• Post-incident response coordination between multiple agencies during maritime emergencies

The role of Community Interaction Programmes (CIPs) was highlighted as a force multiplier, helping to build trust and awareness among coastal villagers and fishermen—often the first eyes and ears on the sea.

A Decade of Transformation

Since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, India’s coastal security framework has undergone significant restructuring. With the ICG acting as the lead agency for coastal security in coordination with various stakeholders, the past decade has seen the establishment of Coastal Security Schemes, Marine Police Stations, Joint Operations Centres (JOCs), and expanded radar coverage along the coastline.

Despite progress, challenges remain in areas such as maritime domain awareness, inter-agency communication interoperability, technology integration, and personnel training, especially in states with high-density maritime traffic.

Path Ahead: Actionable Outcomes

The seminar concluded with a set of policy recommendations and inter-agency coordination roadmaps aimed at reinforcing national maritime security architecture. Proposals included:

• Standardized joint training modules for all stakeholders

• Creation of a centralized coastal intelligence database

• Periodic multi-agency coastal security exercises

• Investment in smart surveillance systems using AI and data analytics

• Establishing dedicated nodal cells for coastal threat assessment

The ICG emphasized the need to sustain the momentum generated by the seminar through regular reviews, field-level implementation, and constant upskilling of personnel.

A National Imperative

The seminar at Visakhapatnam served as both a review mechanism and a strategic visioning exercise. It reaffirmed the Centre’s and stakeholders’ shared commitment to “security through cooperation”, underscoring that India’s coastal security is integral to its national resilience, economic stability, and maritime sovereignty.

As threats evolve in complexity—from asymmetric maritime incursions to illicit trafficking and climate-induced disruptions—the ability of agencies to act cohesively, supported by state-of-the-art technology, will be the cornerstone of India's coastal defense in the years to come.