The School of Integrated Coastal and Maritime Security Studies (SICMSS) of Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) concluded the second edition of its flagship program, SAMUNDRARAKSHAN 2.0, today, on the occasion of Indian Navy Day. The conclave served as a unique and vital platform to strengthen India’s coastal and maritime security architect by fostering knowledge sharing and the dissemination of best practices, all evolved under the expansive vision from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). The impactful event took place at the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) campus, located in Lavad-Dahegam, Gandhinagar.

SAMUNDRARAKSHAN 2.0 brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, security experts, academics, and practitioners, to deliberate on critical issues pertaining to maritime and coastal security. The discussions and presentations during the conclave aimed to enhance inter-agency coordination, technological integration, and community participation in safeguarding India's vast coastline and maritime interests.

This year's SAMUNDRARAKSHAN 2.0 also featured the unveiling of India's state-of-the-art Maritime Simulator Lab. This dedicated facility is poised to revolutionize maritime training by providing hands-on experience for a wide array of critical operations, including maritime interdiction, hot pursuits, law enforcement, search and rescue, navigation, maritime security, and marine pollution scenarios. The Maritime Simulator Lab will serve the Indian Maritime Forces, Law of the Sea professionals, and maritime experts, including maritime law enforcement agencies from like-minded countries nominated under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ITEC programme. The unveiling of this training facility at RRU is a testament of India’s commitment to provide world-class training to all the stake-holders of maritime security.

The event drew over 200+ personnel (senior–mid–junior level officers) from the Marine Police of all 13 coastal states/union territories, Indian Navy (IN), Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), maritime boards, port authorities, other leading maritime companies and technology innovation start-ups, and prominent maritime experts and professionals. This initiative underscored RRU's commitment of raising maritime consciousness in India and across the globe.

The conclave focused on several key areas, including the integration of advanced technologies in India's maritime border security surveillance and protection, the implications of climate change and rising sea levels for coastal security, counter-operations against drug trafficking through Indian ports and coastline, and the sharing of best practices among maritime forces through exercises and cooperation.

During the inaugural ceremony, Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, PVSM, AVSM, YASM, VSM (Retd.), National Maritime Security Coordinator, India, delivered a virtual address highlighting the critical importance of SAMUNDRARAKSHAN 2.0. He explained the program's unique role in providing a shared platform for officers to exchange ideas and foster collaborative approaches to maritime security challenges. Vice Admiral Dasgupta further pointed out the significant benefits for participating officials with the inauguration of India's state-of-the-art Maritime Simulator Lab at RRU. He emphasised India’s “Blue Acceleration” over the last 25 years and the increasing vulnerabilities posed by radical ideologies harboured at the neighbourhood country.

Shri Praveer Ranjan, IPS, Director General, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), emphasised on building a multi-stakeholder approach to coastal security, and expressed his confidence in his force to replicate the success of aviation security to now port security as well through a cadre of professionals trained at RRU.

Recent reforms such as CISF being declared RSO, amendments to shipping laws, hybrid port-security models, and audits of EXIM ports strengthen accountability and security architecture of India. He urged robust tech infusion—AI and Aadhaar-based systems—and affirmed that security and economic development must advance together. He underscored the hybrid model of port security where core functions would be performed by CISF and rest by the other stakeholders like state police, private security etc.

Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, Vice-Chancellor, RRU, expressed his profound satisfaction with the program's success and its contribution to strengthening India's maritime security framework. He underlined RRU's commitment to fostering cutting-edge research, education, and training in integrated coastal and maritime security.

Prof. (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel emphasized upon India’s emergence as a steady lighthouse in rough global seas, echoing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision at Indian Maritime Week 2025. He noted India’s replacement of colonial shipping laws with futuristic reforms that strengthen ease of business under the Merchant Shipping Act. Emphasising Maritime India Vision 2030, Sagarmala and ₹70,000 crore in new initiatives, he praised the School’s 70+ training programmes with 125 global experts. Prof. Patel underlined RRU–NACP’s training of 9 batches of 800+ personnel and welcomed the MoU with CISF, reinforcing efforts to enhance coastal security and ensure no one is left behind.

Shri Ashwini Kumar Singh, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), National Academy of Coastal Policing (NACP), underlined the critical role of the National Academy of Coast Guard Policing (NACP) in securing India’s coastline, where challenges differ sharply from land borders. NACP has already trained over 1,600 personnel out of the 7,000+ deployed nationwide, with a world-class 250-acre campus coming up on the Dwarka–Okha Road. With marine police foundation courses, a full-fledged water wing, and specialised technical and operations schools, NACP aims to shape India’s maritime safety architecture. He highlighted that Samudrakshan 2.0 strengthens this vision, with RRU as a valuable and enduring partner.

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