Indian and Sri Lanka Coast Guards Strengthen Maritime Cooperation

The 7th Annual High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, marking a significant step in their collaborative efforts to combat transnational maritime crime and promote regional cooperation. This meeting, held on Monday, followed the institutionalized mechanisms outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the maritime agencies in May 2018. The four-member ICG delegation, led by Director General S Paramesh, met with the SLCG side, led by Rear Admiral YR Serasinghe, to discuss various maritime issues.

The high-level meeting emphasized the commitment of both Coast Guards to address maritime challenges together, focusing on contemporary regional issues such as drug trafficking, marine pollution, safety of mariners, adoption of best practices, capacity-building programs, and collaborative arrangements. The outcome of the meeting highlighted the importance of enhancing mutual cooperation to strengthen the maritime safety and security framework in the region. It was agreed that the 8th annual ICG-SLCG meeting would be hosted by the Indian Coast Guard in 2025.

Overall, the meeting underscored the shared commitment of the Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards to work together in addressing maritime challenges and promoting regional cooperation. By collaborating on various issues and initiatives, both agencies aim to enhance maritime safety and security in the region. The annual high-level meetings serve as a platform for discussing and implementing strategies to combat transnational maritime crime effectively.

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