Rajnath calls for AI and cyber defence in maritime security

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said operational _ preparedness, adaptability and swift response must form the cornerstone of the Indian Coast Guard's vision as “warfare is now measured in hours and seconds, with satellites, drones, and sensors redefining the nature of conflict.”

- Rahul Singh

“What were once predictable patterns of smuggling or piracy have now evolved into sophisticated operations using GPS spoofing, remote-controlled boats, encrypted communications, drones, satellite phones, and even networks operating on the dark web,” he said at a top three-day coast guard conference, stressing that maritime threats are becoming increasingly technology-driven and multidimensional.

The coast guard commanders’ conference brings together the service's top brass to deliberate on strategic, operational, and administrative priorities against the backdrop of evolving maritime security challenges and the growing strategic significance of the vast Indian Ocean region where the challenges include China’s carefully calculated power play for influence and defending the rules-based international order.