India has pitched to host the next edition of the Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) in 2027, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening global maritime governance and positioning the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) as a key partner in ensuring safer and cleaner seas.
At the 4th CGGS held in Rome on September 11-12, a two-member ICG delegation led by Director General Paramesh Sivamani delivered a lecture on the force’s tactical response to fire emergencies, highlighting India’s expertise in maritime safety and emergency response.
Delegates from 115 countries and international organisations attended the summit, which was co-chaired by Italy and Japan. The discussions focused on maritime safety, environmental protection, response to pollution incidents and disasters, as well as countering transnational maritime crimes through technology, capacity-building and enhanced cooperation.
The summit also underscored the role of coast guards as “guardians at sea”, with leaders including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba (virtually) stressing the importance of collaboration in marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue and law enforcement.
First convened in 2017 by the Japan Coast Guard and the Nippon Foundation, the summit has become a key mechanism for dialogue and confidence-building in the maritime domain.