As part of its continued overseas deployment to ASEAN nations, the Indian Coast Guard’s Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) Samudra Paheredar made a port call at Muara, Brunei on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Defence.

In 2022, during the ASEAN Defence Minister Plus Meeting in Cambodia, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the India-ASEAN Initiative for Marine Pollution, which is why ICG’s specialised vessels are visiting ASEAN nations.

The ICGS Samudra Paheredar crew will participate in professional exchanges centred around Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), and Maritime Law Enforcement over the three-day tour.

The Ministry of Defence released a statement that said, “Activities include sports events with Brunei Maritime Agencies, cross-deck training, and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges.”

The meeting

Additionally, as part of the government’s “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan” project, 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) members aboard ICGS Samudra Paheredar will take part in beach cleanup efforts in association with neighbourhood youth organisations.

“This overseas deployment is a testimony to the Indian Coast Guard’s commitment to bolster bilateral relationships and enhance international cooperation with Foreign Friendly Countries (FFCs),” said the statement.

As to the Ministry of Defence, diplomatic maritime activities in the ASEAN region were smoothly continued by ICGS Samudra Paheredar, who visited Vietnam and the Philippines prior to Muara.

In line with India’s maritime vision embodied in SAGAR – Security and Growth for All – ICGS Samudra Paheredar’s deployment to the ASEAN area demonstrated the country’s shared concern and resolve over marine pollution and promoted maritime safety and security through maritime cooperation.