Coast Guard pollution control vessel makes a port call at Ho Cho Minh City
During the 3-day visit, the crew will engage in professional interactions focusing on marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue and maritime law enforcement
Visakhapatnam: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) pollution control vessel Samudra Paheredar, with an integral helicopter, made a port call at Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam on Tuesday.
The visit is part of its ongoing overseas deployment to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. During the three-day visit, the crew will engage in professional interactions focusing on marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue and maritime law enforcement.
The activities will also include cross-deck training, subject matter expert exchanges, sports events and passage exercise with the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG).
The visit not only aims to strengthen ties between the ICG and VCG, but also showcases India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. In addition, 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets aboard the vessel will participate in a walkathon and beach clean-up activities.
Since 2015, the ICG and VCG have an existing MoU which institutionalised the cooperative engagements between the two maritime agencies. This overseas deployment is a testimony to ICG’s commitment to bolster bilateral relationships and enhance international cooperation with friendly countries.
The visit of the ICG specialised vessel to these countries is in pursuance with India ASEAN Initiative for marine pollution announced during ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Cambodia in 2022.
The deployment of Samudra Paheredar to the ASEAN region reflects India’s shared concern and resolve towards marine pollution, promoting safety and security through maritime cooperation, a spokesperson for Indian Navy said.
