Mumbai :The 12th meeting of the Offshore Security Co-ordination Committee (OSCC) was held at Mumbai under the Chairmanship of Vice Admiral AG Thapliyal, AVSM & Bar, Director General Indian Coast Guard, to review the preparedness and effectiveness of the security of India’s offshore installations. Addressing the meeting, Vice Admiral AG Thapliyal, AVSM & Bar, Chairman of OSCC underlined the need for stringent offshore security measures in view of the emerging threats at sea so as to ensure India’s energy security. The Chairman highlighted the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination and attributed the successful interception of a suspicious boat by the Indian Coast Guard on the midnight of 31 Dec 14, to the seamless coordination between various agencies. As a result of this, a major infiltration bid which could have posed serious threat to national security was averted by ICG based on credible intelligence input. The Chairman also highlighted the need for preparedness in view of the threat from adrift derelict vessels especially during the monsoon season
The agenda of the meeting agenda comprised of various issues pertaining to offshore security, inter-agency coordination, unregulated fishing around ODAs and establishment of Safety Fairways to facilitate safe passage of shipping traffic in the vicinity of Offshore Development Areas.
The OSCC was constituted by the erstwhile Ministry of Petroleum, Chemicals and Fertilizers in 1978, to ensure smooth and effective functioning of offshore security arrangements. The OSCC is the apex body for reviewing and evaluating Offshore Security in India. The Committee was revamped and expanded in 2006 under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The Committee comprises of members drawn from the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, IB and ONGC meets every six months to examine issues related to the safety and security of offshore assets.
