New Delhi: In a significant stride towards strengthening the bilateral cooperation between India and the Philippines, the Indian Coast Guard has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to enhance maritime cooperation.
The MoU signed aims to strengthen the professional connection between the two Coast Guards in the field of Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Maritime Search & Rescue (M-SAR), and Marine Pollution Response (MPR).
The MoU’s implementation will boost the bilateral collaboration between the two nations in terms of ensuring the safety, security, and cleanliness of the seas in the region. The first bilateral meeting between the maritime agencies showcases their commitment to fostering strong professional relationships through the exchange of best practices, participation in joint exercises, and the advancement of training collaborations.
The PCG delegation, consisting of five members, embarked on an official visit to India from 20-24 August 2023. Recently, the delegation explored the vibrant region of Goa on 21 August, where they were able to witness the exceptional operational capabilities of the ships and aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard under the visionary initiative of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
During the visit, the delegation was also provided with a customer demonstration flight on the Indian Coast Guard Advance Light Helicopter MK-III. The delegates also visited Indian Coast Guard Ship Sujeet built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 22 August 2023 between DG Rakesh Pal, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, and CG Admiral Artemio M Abu, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), at the Coast Guard Headquarters in New Delhi. The two sides convened their inaugural bilateral meeting to discuss various maritime matters.
