Strengthening Security Bonds: Indian Coast Guard Ship Undertakes Mission in Philippines
Image Source: The Economic Times
The Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, has made its presence felt in Manila Bay, Philippines, as part of an overseas deployment to ASEAN international locations. This deployment highlights India’s commitment to maritime protection and environmental protection in the place. Equipped with advanced pollutant manipulation equipment and a Chetak Helicopter in pollution response configuration, they deliver targets to illustrate India’s capabilities in managing marine pollutant incidents.
Arriving at Manila Bay on March 25 for a 3-day visit, the Samudra Paheredar’s deployment underscores the broader initiative of showcasing the Indian Coast Guard’s marine pollutant reaction abilities and addressing shared issues approximately marine pollution in the ASEAN vicinity. This visit also seeks to bolster bilateral cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other maritime businesses.
This deployment marks the third consecutive 12 months of Indian Coast Guard Pollution Control Vessels journeying ASEAN nations. In 2023, comparable initiatives were undertaken in Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. During its current deployment, the ship is scheduled to make port calls in Manila (Philippines), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), and Muara (Brunei).
The visit consists of pollution response training sessions and practical demonstrations of various systems, showcasing the Indian Coast Guard’s preparedness to deal with marine pollution incidents effectively. Moreover, the ship has embarked 25 cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) as part of the Indian government’s initiative ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’. These cadets will participate in beach clean-up activities and similar tasks during the port calls, contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
Beyond environmental concerns, the visit holds significant significance in strengthening bilateral relationships with key maritime agencies in the area, including the Philippine Coast Guard, Vietnam Coast Guard, and Brunei Maritime corporations. India has Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Coast Guards of the Philippines and Vietnam, which specialize in enhanced maritime cooperation, maritime security, and security.
Over the years, these relationships have developed to ensure certain protection, security, and environmental safety within the area. The agenda of the visit includes professional exchanges, go-deck visits, joint activities, as well as professional and social engagements, including visits to capacity-building facilities.
The ICGS Samudra Paheredar, stationed on the east coast of India in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, operates under the command of Deputy Inspector General Sudhir Ravindran. The vessel has a prominent record of undertaking numerous Coast Guard operations, including pollution response, surveillance within the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), counter-transnational crimes, and maritime search and rescue (SAR) missions.
The deployment of the Samudra Paheredar to the Philippines underscores India’s commitment to regional maritime protection, environmental protection, and strengthening bilateral ties with ASEAN nations. Through collaborative efforts and shared tasks, India’s goal is to promote a more secure and stable maritime environment within the Indo-Pacific region.
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- Tanya Singh Yadav is a master's student currently in her fourth semester, passionately pursuing career opportunities within organisations that advocate for environmental consciousness while providing avenues for personal growth and development.
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