Bhubaneswar, Jun 24: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the 14th Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group (Policy) meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan here on Wednesday. For the first time, the high-level national maritime security deliberation was held outside New Delhi, underscoring the Centre’s emphasis on cooperative federalism.

ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱରରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ‘୧୪ ତମ ମଲ୍ଟି ଏଜେନ୍ସି ମାରିଟାଇମ୍ ସିକ୍ୟୁରିଟି ଗ୍ରୁପ୍ (ପଲିସି)’ ବୈଠକର ଉଦ୍‌ଘାଟନୀ ଅବସରରେ ଯୋଗ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି । ଆମର ସମୁଦ୍ର କେବଳ ଏକ ଭୌଗୋଳିକ ସୀମା ନୁହେଁ; ଏହା ବ୍ୟାପକ ସୁଯୋଗ, ସମୃଦ୍ଧି ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ତର୍ଜାତୀୟ ସହଭାଗିତାର ପ୍ରବେଶ ପଥ ବୋଲି ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନଠାରେ… pic.twitter.com/vFIE3siwVR

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) June 24, 2026

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister described the sea as “a gateway to prosperity, opportunities, and international cooperation.” He stressed that the 21st century is the “Indo-Pacific century,” with India emerging as a major maritime power. Odisha’s hosting of the meeting, he said, reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening federal participation in national security frameworks.

CM Majhi highlighted Odisha’s 575-km coastline and its rich maritime legacy dating back to ancient Kalinga traders, whose voyages to Southeast Asia are still commemorated through the Bali Jatra festival. He noted that Odisha is now playing a pivotal role in India’s maritime growth story, with projects such as a deep-sea port at Ganjam and a shipbuilding cluster near Paradip.

The Chief Minister emphasized that maritime security today extends beyond traditional law enforcement to include cyber security, disaster management, environmental protection, and safeguarding critical infrastructure. He underlined the importance of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and advanced monitoring networks. Initiatives like fitting fishing boats with NABHMITRA transponders and implementing the Coastal Vibrant Village Programme were cited as crucial steps toward strengthening coastal safety.
Also Read: Odisha Signs JVA with NLC India for 1,000 MW Green Energy

National Maritime Security Coordinator Vice Admiral (Retd.) Biswajit Dasgupta observed that no single model can address maritime security challenges, calling for a comprehensive strategic framework. Chief Secretary Anu Garg urged equal focus on the security and development of islands alongside coastal regions.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Centre and coastal states, including Odisha DGP Y.B. Khurania, who delivered the welcome address, and senior bureaucrats such as Prakash Mishra and Hemant Sharma. The deliberations reaffirmed the collective resolve to safeguard India’s maritime frontiers while advancing the blue economy.