During the Indian Coast Guard’s ongoing overseas deployment to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries its Pollution Control Vessel, Samudra Paheredar made a significant port call in Vietnam on April 2.
The vessel reached Ho Chi Minh port in Vietnam accompanied by an integral helicopter, this visit marks a pivotal moment in maritime relations between two nations, focusing on marine pollution response, maritime search, rescue, and maritime law enforcement.
On this three-day visit, the crew of the Samudra Paheredar will interact with their Vietnamese counterpart. The visit will have planned activities including cross-deck training, subject matter expert exchanges, sports events, and a passage exercise with the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG). These engagements are aimed to strengthen ties between the ICG and VCG while showcasing India’s advanced indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
A noteworthy aspect of this deployment is the participation of 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets aboard the vessel. These cadets will take part in a Walkathon and Beach Clean-up activities, highlighting India’s commitment to environmental stewardship and maritime sustainability.
The visit of the vessel is part of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the ICG and VCG, which was established in 2015 to formalise cooperative engagements between the two maritime partners. This overseas cooperation underscores the ICG’s dedication to fostering bilateral relationships and enhancing international cooperation with friendly nations.
This deployment to the ASEAN region is aligned with the India ASEAN Initiative for marine pollution, announced during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Cambodia in 2022.
Before reaching Vietnam, the vessel had made a port call in Manila, Philippines, demonstrating its maritime journey in the ASEAN region. It reflects India’s shared concern and determination to combat marine pollution while promoting safety and security through maritime cooperation.