The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) headed the 137th meeting of the Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) in New Delhi. The ICG, through the OSCC, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding India’s offshore energy installations and ensuring the security of joint operations. Convened under the leadership of Director General Paramesh Sivamani, the Offshore Security Coordination Committee meeting focused on reviewing current security measures and enhancing inter-agency coordination to address emerging threats in the offshore domain.
The OSCC was established in 1978 to protect the coastal assets of the nation. Since then, it has played a pivotal role in ensuring robust maritime security protocols for offshore oil and gas assets in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The 137th Offshore Security Coordination Committee session served as a strategic forum to evaluate the existing defense posture around offshore installations, propose actionable improvements, and strengthen multi-agency synergy in maritime operations.
Offshore Security Coordination Committee Enhancing Energy Security
In his keynote address, Director General Sivamani emphasized the strategic importance of offshore energy platforms to India’s economic independence and energy sovereignty. He also highlighted the integral role of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), maritime domain awareness (MDA) technologies, and joint operational drills.
“Energy infrastructure security is central to our national interests, and every possible measure must be taken to protect these critical assets,” DG ICG, Paramesh Sivamani
With India steadily increasing its reliance on domestic hydrocarbon production from offshore fields, protecting these assets from hostile threats—whether conventional, asymmetric, or environmental—is vital. The forum reiterated the need to continuously upgrade security frameworks to combat modern challenges, including cyber-attacks on energy systems, unmanned aerial threats, and sub-surface intrusions.
Offshore Security Coordination Committee: Posturing A United Front
The 137th OSCC meeting witnessed active participation from key defense and civilian agencies, reinforcing the principle of integrated coastal defense. Representatives from the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons were present. Intelligence and enforcement agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau, Directorate General of Shipping, and police forces from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh also contributed to the discussions.
Notably, personnel from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and other exploration entities provided operational insights to align security efforts with industry dynamics. This convergence of stakeholders ensures a comprehensive maritime security architecture, extending beyond surveillance to include threat intelligence sharing, incident response mechanisms, and contingency planning.
Strengthening the Offshore Defence Area (ODA)
The OSCC continues to act as the primary consultative body responsible for framing policy decisions related to the Offshore Defence Area (ODA). Through strategic deliberation and coordination, the committee formulates standard operating procedures (SOPs), conducts periodic threat assessments, and facilitates the conduct of joint maritime exercises such as ‘Sagar Kavach’ and ‘Prasthan’.
As offshore threats evolve in complexity, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging advanced maritime surveillance systems, satellite monitoring, and real-time communication channels to deter threats and respond decisively during maritime incidents. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) also provides critical data to bolster such efforts.
Offshore Security: A Cornerstone of India’s Blue Economy
Offshore oil fields and production platforms form the backbone of India’s blue economy strategy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. Ensuring their safety underpins economic resilience and supports the broader goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The Indian Coast Guard, in its capacity as the nodal agency for offshore security, continues to execute patrolling, surveillance, and response operations with precision. The 137th OSCC meeting further advanced the dialogue on adopting emerging technologies such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and AI-based threat detection to preempt sabotage or terrorist infiltration attempts.
A Roadmap For Secure Maritime Infrastructure
The successful conclusion of the 137th OSCC meeting reinforces India’s commitment to maritime and energy security. As India accelerates its energy exploration initiatives, the imperative to guard against asymmetric threats grows stronger. The OSCC, through structured inter-agency cooperation and strategic foresight, remains instrumental in protecting offshore assets that are vital to national growth and geopolitical standing.
Moving forward, the committee will focus on refining crisis response protocols, improving technical interoperability among maritime agencies, and ensuring continuous capacity building to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape.
