The Vietnam Coast Guard and the Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, which is now deployed overseas in Ho Chi Minh City, collaborated on training related to responding to maritime oil pollution.

The ship’s pollution response equipment was demonstrated during the training, demonstrating the Indian Coast Guard’s commitment to a coordinated response to maritime pollution in the ASEAN area.

The Indian Coast Guard said on X, “@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 stated.

As part of its ongoing overseas deployment to ASEAN countries, the Indian Coast Guard’s Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) Samudra Paheredar, equipped with an integrated helicopter, landed at the Ho Chi Minh port of Vietnam on Tuesday, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

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 a specialised vessel from ICG is visiting ASEAN nations.

The tour, according to the statement, intends to promote “Make in India” and “Atamnirbhar Bharat” by showcasing India’s shipbuilding skills in addition to fortifying ties between the Indian Coast Guard and their Vietnamese counterparts.

In addition, 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) members on board ICGS Samudra Paheredar will support the GoI project “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan” by taking part in a walkathon and beach cleanup events in association with neighbourhood youth organisations.

Since 2015, the Indian Coast Guard and the Vietnam Coast Guard have had a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place, formalising their joint activities as maritime agency.

This overseas deployment complies with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding and demonstrates the Indian Coast Guard’s dedication to strengthening bilateral ties and improving

The visit to Vietnam, according to the statement, is important for bolstering bilateral ties with important maritime partners, which is essential for guaranteeing the safety, security, and environmental sustainability of the region’s seas while tackling modern maritime issues.

“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,” according to the statement.