Krishnaswamy Natarajan takes over as new Indian Coast Guard chief, replaces Rajendra Singh

Director General Krishnaswamy Natarajan on Sunday took over as the 23rd Chief of Indian Coast Guard, replacing his predecessor Rajendra Singh, the first cadre officer to head the force.  Before his appointment as the ICG chief, Natarajan was the Additional Director General of the ICG's Western Sea Board, which looks after the security of the sensitive maritime boundary from Gujarat to Kerala. A 1984-batch officer, Natarajan has held various important command and staff appointments, both afloat and ashore. He joined the forces on January 18, 1984.

Taking to its official Twitter handle the Indian Coast Guard also confirmed the news, saying "Director General Krishnaswamy Natarajan PTM TM assumes charge as 23rd Director General of Indian Coast Guard".

Director General Krishnaswamy Natarajan PTM TM assumes charge as 23rd Director General of Indian Coast Guard @rashtrapatibhvn @PMOIndia @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @shripadynaik @DG_PIB @PIB_India pic.twitter.com/jl2PE8FOj9

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) June 30, 2019

During his initial years, Natarajan specialised in select core competencies like Search and Rescue as well as Maritime Safety and Port Operations, at the US Coast Guard Reserve Training Centre, Yorktown in Virginia. On the education front, he holds a Masters' Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.

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Outgoing Director General Indian Coast Guard Rajendra Singh passes on the baton to Incoming DG Krishnaswamy Natarajan in New Delhi on Sunday

In his illustrious career spanning over 35 years, the flag officer has commanded all classes of ICG ships - Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) Sangram, Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Veera, Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) Kanaklata Barua and Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) Chandbibi. His important command appointments ashore include the Commander, Coast Guard District No.5 (Tamil Nadu) and the Commanding Officer, ICGS Mandapam.

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Natarajan's key staff assignments at the Coast Guard headquarters include Principal Director (Policy and Plans), Chairman, Coast Guard Service Selection Board, Principal Director (Projects), Joint Director (Operations), Coast Guard Advisor (CGA) to Director General, ICG.

The flag officer has also held the posts of Chief Staff Officer (Personnel & Administration) at Headquarters Region (East), Chennai and Chief of Staff at Headquarters Region (West), Mumbai. He has also held the post of Officer-in-Charge, Coast Guard Training Centre, Kochi.

(With inputs from agencies)