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Key Points

India and Sri Lanka reinforced their maritime partnership in the 8th high-level Coast Guard meeting. The discussions focused on pollution response, search & rescue, and law enforcement. Both sides agreed to deepen operational coordination to tackle regional challenges. The meeting builds on a 2018 MoU to enhance safety and security in shared waters.

Key Points: India Sri Lanka Coast Guards Meet to Boost Maritime Security

  • India and Sri Lanka discuss marine pollution response and search & rescue cooperation
  • Both nations commit to combating drug trafficking and maritime crime
  • Meeting builds on 2018 MoU for sustained regional stability
  • Delegations explore capacity-building and technical assistance initiatives
2 min read

India, Sri Lanka coast guards hold 8th high-level meeting to strengthen maritime cooperation

Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards hold 8th high-level meeting to strengthen maritime cooperation, pollution response, and regional security.

"Another milestone in the strong and enduring maritime partnership between the two friendly neighbours – Indian Coast Guard"

New Delhi, August 12

The 8th High-Level Meeting (HLM) between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SCG) was held today, August 11, in New Delhi, marking "another milestone in the strong and enduring maritime partnership between the two friendly neighbours," according to an official statement by the Indian Coast Guard.

The Sri Lankan delegation, led by Rear Admiral Y.R. Serasinghe, Director General SLCG, was warmly received by the Indian delegation headed by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, AVSM, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard. The SLCG delegation is visiting India from August 10 to 14 for the HLM and other professional interactions under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ICG and SLCG in 2018.

Discussions during the HLM centred on strengthening cooperative engagements in the fields of "marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement," along with "enhanced capacity building and technical assistance initiatives." Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work closely in addressing contemporary maritime challenges, ensuring "safety, security, and environmental stewardship in the shared maritime domain," the statement added.

The meeting underscored the mutual resolve of ICG and SLCG to "deepen operational coordination, share best practices, and further promote regional maritime stability through sustained cooperation."

This continued collaboration builds on the foundation laid during the 7th Annual High-Level Meeting (HLM) held last year on November 11 at Colombo, Sri Lanka, which marked a significant milestone in combating transnational maritime crime and strengthening regional cooperation between the two nations.

This annual meeting was followed by institutionalised mechanisms as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both maritime agencies in May 2018.

The four-member ICG delegation was led by Director General S Paramesh of the Indian Coast Guard, while the SLCG side was led by Rear Admiral YR Serasinghe, Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The high-level meeting underscored the commitment of both Coast Guards to jointly address maritime challenges while focusing on a range of contemporary regional maritime issues, including drug trafficking, marine pollution, safety of mariners, adoption of best practices, capacity-building programs and other collaborative arrangements.

The outcome of the meeting reiterates enhancing mutual cooperation in addressing these challenges, thereby strengthening the maritime safety and security framework in the region.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
As someone from Chennai, I appreciate this initiative. The marine pollution in our shared waters affects fishing communities on both sides. Hope they implement concrete action plans soon.
A
Arjun K
While the meeting sounds productive, I hope they address the real issues fishermen face at the maritime boundary. Too many Indian fishermen get arrested by Sri Lankan authorities. Need practical solutions!
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Priya S
Excellent diplomatic move! 👏 India should take leadership in regional maritime security. The drug trafficking issue needs urgent attention - it's destroying our youth in coastal states like Gujarat and Kerala.
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Vikram M
The MoU is good but implementation is key. Last year's meeting also made big promises - can we get a status update on what was actually achieved? Transparency matters in such bilateral agreements.
N
Nikhil C
As a navy veteran, I appreciate the focus on capacity building. Sri Lanka can benefit from India's experience in maritime surveillance. Maybe we can conduct joint exercises like we do with other neighbors.

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