Overview

• At the 42nd Indian Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi, Rajnath Singh said conflict is now measured in hours and seconds as satellites, drones and sensors reshape warfare.
• He directed the Coast Guard to integrate AI and machine learning–based surveillance, drones, cyber defences and automated systems to cut response times to seconds.
• Commanders were tasked with drafting a futuristic roadmap, including a 2047 vision, to anticipate new maritime threats and adapt operational strategies.
• Singh warned that instability in neighbours such as Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal spills into the seas through refugee flows, illegal migration and irregular activity, especially in the Bay of Bengal.
• He reaffirmed that nearly 90% of the Coast Guard’s capital spend goes to indigenous assets, praised its multi‑agency role as a force multiplier, and noted its current strength of 152 vessels and 78 aircraft.