In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval commissioned Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Sajag through digital means and dedicated it to the nation for safeguarding the maritime interests. OPV Sajag is constructed by M/s Goa Shipyard Limited. Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Indian Coast Guard Director General K Natarajan, and CMD Goa shipyard Cmde BB Nagpal (Retd) were among those who attended the event.
In his address, NSA Ajit Doval said that the concept of forming ICG came into being post-1971 war when it was assessed that maritime borders are equally vital as land borders. The blueprint for a multi-dimension Coast Guard was conceived by the visionary Rustamji Committee even as the United Nations Convention of the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) was being negotiated and India’s assets off Mumbai high were growing. The ICG, which was created through an Act of Parliament in 1978, has traversed a long journey in the last four decades. Doval commended Goa shipyard for indigenously developing ships for the Maritime Armed forces on time with state-of-the-art machinery, latest technology sensors and equipment that will enable the ICG to undertake varied charter of duties within and beyond the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The ICG ships are being built within the country in various shipyards including private yard in line with the government’s vision of ‘Make in India’. NSA was impressed to witness the ICG OPV Sajag, that was looking magnificent during the commissioning ceremony.
The ICG is a multifarious force, undertaking concurrent operations and being the first responder for any developing situation at sea. Their personnel work in very diverse conditions and circumstances to safeguard the vast coastline. Doval lauded Coast Guard for the support to the Coastal populace as also to undertake diverse roles like rescue operations during cyclones, marine pollution response, and anti-narco operations. He said that Indian Coast Guard has contributed significantly towards saving precious lives at sea in the recent disaster in Mumbai High. NSA said that the ICG plays an important role in supporting the neighbouring countries in IoR. He added that this lean and visible service plays a critical role in anti-smuggling and anti-narcotics, both nationally and internationally. The service has recently undertaken pollution response, firefighting, and interdiction operations beyond IoR when called upon by littoral countries.
Director General K Natarajan briefed the NSA about the massive firefighting operation being undertaken by the ICG on board a container vessel X-Press Pearl off Colombo. Looking at the onsite clips, Doval praised the efforts of the service, showcasing its reach and professionalism. Referring to the ICG being the fourth largest in the world with almost 160 ships and 62 aircraft, he was pleased with the efforts of the Ministry of Defence to make this maritime service one of the premium Coast Guards of the world with 200 ships and 100 aircraft. The National Security Advisor said that the nation feels confident with the Coast Guard safeguarding nearly 7500 km of coastline. He added that the future will see a more complex security scenario, and the ICG will have greater responsibilities as India’s maritime zones expand to include entitlements in the Extended Continental Shelf. In his concluding remarks, NSA commended the present leadership of the ICG and the highly motivated Tatrakshaks. He was confident that the service will gear up for any challenge that comes its way in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.