Indian Coast Guard

The Indian Coast Guard (Hindi: भारतीय तटरक्षक) (ICG) is a branch of the Indian Armed Forces. Its mission is the protection of India's maritime interests and maritime law enforcement with jurisdiction over both territorial and international waters.

ICG was formally established on 18th August 1978 as an armed force of the Union by the Coast Guard Act, 1978. It operates under the Department of Defence of the Union Ministry of Defence.

The Coast Guard works in close cooperation with the Indian Navy, Department of Fisheries, Department of Revenue (Customs) and the Central and State police forces. The ICG is generally headed by a naval officer of the rank of Vice-Admiral.

Missions

The Indian Coast Guard's motto, in keeping with its missions, is वयम रक्षामः (Vayam Rakshamah), which translates from Sanskrit as We Protect. Its missions are:

• Protection of maritime resources
• Maritime safety, search and rescue
• Law enforcement in territorial as well as international waters
• Protection of marine ecology and environment
• Scientific data collection and support
• Maritime defence support

History

The establishment of the Indian Coast Guard was first proposed by the Indian Navy to provide non-military maritime services to the nation.<ref...
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