The Indian Coast Guard is conducting a two-day maiden Coastal Security Conference under the aegis of Colombo Security Conclave in Chennai.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 2, 2022 06:23 IST
The theme of the Coastal Security Conference 2022 is “collaborative efforts for coastal security”.
By Manjeet Singh Negi: The Indian Coast Guard is conducting a two-day maiden Coastal Security Conference (CoSC) under the aegis of Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in Chennai with the participation of coast guards from four member countries–India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
The representatives from Bangladesh, an observer of the Coastal Security Conference, also participated. The Conference will conclude on Friday, December 2.
Giridhar Aramane, defence secretary, Government of India, inaugurated the maiden Coastal Security Conference. The defence secretary in his address to the gathering quoted the five basic principles to address issues of maritime security which are removing barriers from legitimate maritime trade; settle maritime disputes by peaceful means through International Law; mitigating natural disasters and maritime threats; preservation and protection of maritime environment; and encouraging responsible maritime connectivity and increase maritime trade through creation of sustainable infrastructure.
Defence Secretary highlighted the need to address common issues pertaining to the maritime safety and security, countering terrorism, transnational organized crime, cyber security, protection of critical coastal infrastructure and disaster relief. He also called upon the participating countries for enhanced collaboration between Coast Guards and Maritime Law Enforcement agencies. The defence secretary commended Indian Coast Guard for establishing itself as strong professional force in just over four decades of its creation and collaborating with partner agencies in ensuring safe, secure and clean seas.
Vikram Misr, deputy National Security Advisor, also addressed the conference and highlighted importance of coast guards, which due to their non-belligerent, non-escalatory and non-aggressive construct have greater roles, to achieve interoperability and enhanced cooperation towards the shared paradigm of safer seas, which has been the India’s vision of Safety and Growth for All (SAGAR) in maritime domain. The deputy NSA also emphasized on the collaboration among all coast guard functionaries for enhancing regional maritime security.
VS Pathania, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, welcomed the chief guest, international and national participants, observers and stakeholders. The Director General, during his address, highlighted the importance of platforms like CoSC for arriving at collective consensus for ensuring maritime safety and security.
The theme of the Coastal Security Conference 2022 is “collaborative efforts for coastal security”. Heads of Marine Police of each state and UTs, and representatives from other national and State stakeholders also participated. During the conference, a presentation on the topics of coastal security threats and collaborative response, international maritime law and role of empowered agencies, technological solutions for coastal security, realisation of Blue Economy through coastal security and envisaged domains for cooperation to address regional coastal security Concerns were also discussed.
