India Participates in 4th Coast Guard Global Summit in Rome

India has reaffirmed its growing role in global maritime governance by actively participating in the 4th Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) held in Rome, Italy, on 11–12 September 2025. A two-member delegation of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), led by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, showcased India’s expertise in maritime safety while also announcing India’s bid to host the 5th CGGS in 2027.

The summit was attended by delegates from 115 countries and international organisations, making it one of the most inclusive global forums for Coast Guards and maritime law enforcement agencies.

India’s Role at CGGS 2025

The ICG delegation delivered a lecture titled “Guardians Against the Blaze: ICG’s Tactical Response to Fire Emergencies”, highlighting,

• India’s operational experience in handling fire-related emergencies at sea.
• The constructive role of ICG in advancing maritime safety and security.
• India’s vision of being a responsible maritime partner in promoting secure and sustainable oceans.
• This participation aligns with India’s broader maritime diplomacy initiatives, strengthening its leadership in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond.

Themes and Outcomes of the Summit

The Rome Summit, co-chaired by Italy and Japan, emphasised the need for collective and cooperative approaches in addressing maritime challenges.

Key areas of discussion included,

• Maritime Safety & Marine Environment Protection – tackling oil spills, plastic waste, and marine pollution.
• Emergency Response Mechanisms – enhancing capacity to respond to natural disasters, accidents, and pollution incidents.
• Maritime Security & Law Enforcement – strategies to counter transnational maritime crimes such as smuggling, piracy, and illegal fishing.
• Technology & Capacity Building – advancing digital tools for maritime surveillance, human resource development, and inter-regional cooperation.
• The shared ethos of the summit was captured in the phrase “Guardians at Sea.”

Evolution of Coast Guard Global Summit

The Coast Guard Global Summit was first convened in 2017 by the Japan Coast Guard and the Nippon Foundation. Since then, it has grown into a crucial mechanism for confidence-building, dialogue, and international cooperation.

At the 4th edition, the importance of Coast Guard collaboration was further underlined by,

• Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, who emphasized cooperation on marine pollution response.
• Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba (virtually), who stressed strengthening frameworks for search and rescue operations and maritime law enforcement.

India’s Bid to Host CGGS 2027

A major highlight was India’s announcement to bid for the Presidency of the 5th CGGS, planned for 2027. If successful, this will,

• Reinforce India’s maritime diplomacy.
• Strengthen India’s position as a regional leader in maritime security.
• Provide a platform for India to showcase its maritime safety initiatives, blue economy strategies, and climate resilience efforts.
• Hosting the summit would also align with India’s vision of being a “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region.

Important Takeaways & Static Facts

• Event: 4th Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS)
• Dates: 11–12 September 2025
• Venue: Rome, Italy
• India’s Delegation: Led by DG ICG Paramesh Sivamani
• Lecture Delivered by India: “Guardians Against the Blaze: ICG’s Tactical Response to Fire Emergencies”
• Co-Chairs: Italy & Japan
• First CGGS Held: 2017, convened by Japan Coast Guard & Nippon Foundation
• Ethos: “Guardians at Sea”