Guardians Of The Seas Unite: ICG Ship Samudra Paheredar Joins Forces With Vietnam Coast Guard In Marine Pollution Response Training

While deployed overseas in Ho Chi Minh City, the Indian Coast Guard vessel Samudra Paheredar engaged in joint training on marine oil pollution response with the Vietnam Coast Guard. The training involved a demonstration of the ship’s pollution response equipment, highlighting the Indian Coast Guard’s commitment to collaborative efforts in addressing marine pollution in the ASEAN region.

In a post on X, the Indian Coast Guard stated, “@IndiaCoastGuard ship Samudra Paheredar on #OSD at #HoChiMinh city conducted joint training on Marine oil pollution response with Vietnam Coast Guard.”
“During the training, demonstration of ship’s pollution response equipment was carried out showcasing resolve of ICG for shared concern of Marine Pollution Response in ASEAN Region.#ICG reaffirms of its commitment for Safe Secure & Clean Seas,” it added.

The Indian Coast Guard’s Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) Samudra Paheredar, accompanied by an integral helicopter, docked at the port of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam on Tuesday as part of its ongoing overseas deployment to ASEAN countries, stated the Indian Coast Guard.

The visit of the specialized vessel to ASEAN countries aligns with the India ASEAN Initiative for Marine Pollution, which was announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in 2022 during the ASEAN Defence Minister Plus Meeting in Cambodia. According to the statement, the visit not only aims to strengthen the relationship between the Indian Coast Guard and their Vietnamese counterparts but also serves to demonstrate India’s shipbuilding capabilities, promoting the concepts of “Atamnirbhar Bharat” and “Make in India”.

Furthermore, 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) members aboard ICGS Samudra Paheredar will take part in a Walkathon and Beach Cleanup activities in collaboration with local youth organizations, contributing to the Government of India initiative “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan”. The Indian Coast Guard and Vietnam Coast Guard have had a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) since 2015, formalizing cooperative engagements between the two maritime agencies.

This overseas deployment aligns with the terms of the MOU and underscores the Indian Coast Guard’s dedication to strengthening bilateral relationships and fostering international cooperation with Foreign Friendly Countries (FFCs). Before reaching Ho Chi Minh City, ICGS Samudra Paheredar visited Manila, Philippines, showcasing a seamless continuation of diplomatic maritime engagements in the ASEAN region.

The visit to Vietnam holds importance in reinforcing bilateral relationships with key maritime partners, essential for ensuring the safety, security, and environmental sustainability of the seas in the region, while addressing contemporary maritime challenges, the statement added “ICGS Samudra Paheredar’s deployment to the ASEAN region reflects India’s shared concern and resolve towards Marine Pollution, promoting maritime safety and security through maritime cooperation, aligned with India’s maritime vision encapsulated in “SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region.”