New Delhi, Jan 5 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that while the world is going through a period of maritime uncertainty, India has proved time and again it secures peace and stability not only of its own interests, but also of the entire Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pratap, India’s first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel, he said India bears the thought process of taking everyone along to become a responsible maritime power.
Built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), the vessel is the largest ship in the Coast Guard’s fleet and is set to significantly enhance India’s environmental response, coastal surveillance and maritime safety operations.
Emphasising the Coast Guard’s multi-dimensional role, Rajnath Singh said India has sent a clear message to its adversaries that any misadventure will be met with a bold and befitting response, asserting that India remains a responsible maritime power committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
“In the coming times, we will have to shape norms in the field of maritime governance, strengthen capacity-building initiatives, and take forward cooperative frameworks. The Indian Coast Guard will have to take its operational doctrines, institutional practices and technological innovations to benchmarks, whose best practices will be followed across the world,” the minister said.
Calling for future-ready reforms, he underlined that ICG must now evolve from a platform-centric force to an intelligence-driven and integration-centric force to effectively address emerging maritime threats. “Given the challenges we face today, it is not enough for the Indian Coast Guard to remain a platform-centric force. Now there is a need to move towards an intelligence-driven and integration-centric approach. This change will not come from ships or equipment alone, but from strengthening institutional depth and human capital,” he said.
In a historic first, the frontline ship also witnessed the appointment of women officers, reflecting the growing role of women in India’s maritime security architecture. Describing Samudra Pratap as an embodiment of India’s mature defence industrial ecosystem, Singh said it showcased GSL’s modern and indigenous approach to meeting today’s complex maritime challenges.
“ICGS Samudra Pratap has been specially designed for pollution control, but its role is not limited to this alone. As multiple capabilities have been integrated into a single platform, the ship will prove to be effective in coastal patrol and strengthen maritime safety. It is a product of the modern approach adopted by the GSL to enhance flexibility and readiness to deal with present-day maritime challenges,” said Singh.
The ship is equipped with advanced pollution detection systems, dedicated pollution response boats, and modern firefighting capabilities. It also features a helicopter hangar and aviation support facilities, which can significantly increase its reach and effectiveness.
“Through its quick detection, precise station-keeping, and efficient recovery systems, ICGS Samudra Pratap will further strengthen capabilities. It will ensure that pollution incidents are controlled on time, preventing damage to coral reefs, mangroves, fisheries, and marine biodiversity. This is directly linked to the sustainability of coastal communities and the blue economy,” he said.
Emphasising that a clean sea guarantees safe trade, safe lives, and a safe environment, Singh stated that platforms such as ICGS Samudra Pratap provide confidence that India not only understands its maritime responsibilities, but is fully prepared to fulfil them.
