The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SCG) held their 8th high-level meeting in New Delhi on Monday, amidst growing security challenges in the Indian Ocean region. This meeting signifies a key effort to enhance maritime cooperation and promote stability in the area.
Rear Admiral Y.R. Serasinghe led the Sri Lankan delegation, while Paramash Shivamani, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, headed the Indian side. The Sri Lankan representatives are in India from August 10-14 to attend the meeting and other professional engagements. This cooperation is based on an agreement made between the two nations in 2018.
Discussions included preventing marine pollution, search and rescue operations, enforcing maritime laws, and offering training and technical aid. Special attention was given to addressing issues like piracy, illegal fishing, and the trafficking of weapons and narcotics in the Indian Ocean.
This partnership between India and Sri Lanka is even more crucial strategically given China’s increasing presence and the threats to maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Both countries used this meeting to show they are committed to working together to protect maritime security and the environment.