Chennai
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Offshore Patrol Vessel Sujay made a port call at Incheon, South Korea on Wednesday, (September 4) as part of its ongoing overseas deployment to East Asia.
During the four-day visit, the crew of ICG ship Sujay will engage in professional interactions focusing on Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), and Maritime Law Enforcement.
Indian Coast Guard to conduct joint exercises, interactions with Korea Coast Guard
The ship's crew will further conduct professional interactions with the Korea Coast Guard (KCG), cross-deck training, joint yoga sessions, and friendly sports events.
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Following these engagements, Indian and Korean Coast Guard vessels will also take part in a Passage Exercise.
The visit aims not only to strengthen ties between the ICG and their Korean counterparts but also to showcase India's shipbuilding capabilities, and support the concept of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).”
The visit comes at a time when the 20th Head of Coast Guard Agency Meeting (HACGAM) is underway at Incheon. Moreover, it highlights ICG's commitment to addressing contemporary maritime challenges for the common global good.
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Additionally, the 10 National Cadet Corps (NCC) aboard ICG Ship Sujay will participate in an Environment Protection Walkathon towards sensitising the local community on marine plastic pollution, contributing to the Indian government's “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan (Clean Ocean Initiative)” and enhancing international outreach.
In March 2006, the ICG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KCG, towards enhanced maritime cooperation and cooperative engagements.
The overseas deployment is in line with the ICG commitment towards fostering bilateral relationships under the ambit of the MoU and holds significance in reinforcing bilateral relationships with key maritime agencies, crucial for ensuring the safety, security, and environmental sustainability of the seas in the region.
Prior to this visit, ICG ship Sujay had made port calls to Indonesia, demonstrating a seamless continuation of diplomatic maritime engagements in the region.
ICG ship Sujay’s deployment to East Asia reflects India's commitment to fostering warm relations with Indo-Pacific nations, promoting friendly relations through maritime cooperation, aligned with India's maritime vision encapsulated in "SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region" and the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiatives (IPOI).