A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence was held in Chennai on Saturday to evaluate the performance of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in safeguarding India’s extensive coastal borders. The session was led by MP Radha Mohan Singh, who chaired the discussion, with participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Coast Guard.
Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, S Paramesh, provided a detailed briefing on the ICG’s operational readiness, strategic priorities, and its capabilities to address evolving maritime security threats. The focus of the review was on the ICG’s efforts to enhance coastal security, improve coordination with other agencies, and strengthen its response mechanisms.
The meeting covered a range of key issues, including the ICG’s surveillance capabilities, advanced vessel fleet, and specialized response teams. The ICG’s role in combating illegal activities such as fishing violations, smuggling, and human trafficking was also highlighted.
Committee members expressed their satisfaction with the progress made by the Indian Coast Guard, particularly its efforts to modernize its infrastructure, foster greater inter-agency collaboration, and deploy state-of-the-art technologies. They commended the ICG for its proactive approach in ensuring the security of India’s 11,098 km coastline and its vital maritime trade routes.
