Home ministers of coastal states to meet in Mumbai on June 16

The home ministers of the nine coastal states that have the sea lining their borders will meet in Mumbai on June 16 to discuss coastal security and to explore the possibility of a joint action plan for their states with respect to coastal security.

There are nine states — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh — that have the sea running along their borders. There are two union territories, Pudducheri and Daman and Diu, in addition to the two island territories of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep that also have the sea running across their borders.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis informed dna that on Thursday, the home ministers of these states would meet at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai to discuss the threats along the sea line and possible remedies for the same. He said that the meeting would be aimed at exploring the possibility of joint operations, which would involve the participation of these beneficiary states as well as that of affected states.

An official said that the state government has deployed local fishermen to help in the manning of sea borders. The security at sea would be enhanced in the coming years with the help of state-of-the-art technologies. The states in which the chief minister also holds the portfolio of the home department would also be represented at this conference in Mumbai.

In addition to coastal security, other topics of mutual interest with respect to maritime affairs would be discussed during the meeting.