India

Indian Coast Guard Chief Highlights Nation‑Neutral SAR Commitment Ahead of SAREX-2026

By Sujit Bisoyi

Director General Paramesh Sivamani of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) emphasized the force’s dedication to saving lives at sea, stating that it does not "distinguish between nations" when conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations. Speaking to reporters before the 12th edition of the national Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX‑2026) scheduled to take place off the coast of Paradip on Thursday, Sivamani said that several countries look to India in a crisis. He added that the ICG has "enhanced our capacity, redefined the procedure and fine‑tuned the standard operating procedure over the years," creating a robust SAR system that the Indian Ocean Region relies on during emergencies.

Sivamani explained that the ICG built its SAR capabilities from scratch and that the force is ready to deploy ships and aircraft immediately when a crisis arises. He highlighted that the future of maritime SAR depends on advanced technology, real‑time information sharing, and seamless inter‑agency cooperation. The chief called for better vessel tracking, stronger distress‑alert management, data‑driven decision making, and faster asset mobilisation, and stressed that lessons from past missions and joint exercises should improve readiness.

SAREX‑2026 will host 32 delegates from 30 friendly foreign nations. The exercise aims to validate operational preparedness, enhance international interoperability, test joint response mechanisms, and exchange best practices, with the preservation of life at sea as the primary goal.

The 24th National Maritime Search and Rescue Board meeting was held concurrently, focusing on strengthening national and international SAR frameworks and recognising that maritime emergencies cross borders, requiring coordinated action among global Rescue Coordination Centres and maritime safety agencies.

Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth opened the event, urging all agencies and international partners to reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding lives at sea and to strengthen cooperation. He invoked the principle of "One Earth, One Family, One Future," noting that collective efforts can build a safer, more resilient maritime community. Seth also highlighted India’s progress in Satellite‑Aided Search and Rescue, moving from Low Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (LEOSAR) to Geostationary Search and Rescue (GEOSAR) and now toward Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (MEOSAR).