INDIA and Indonesia have renewed their collaboration in maritime safety and security with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Indonesian Coast Guard (Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia, or BAKAMLA) agreeing to extend their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another three years.
This renewal took place during the second High-Level Meeting (HLM) held at the Coast Guard Headquarters in New Delhi on January 27, 2025.
The meeting was co-chaired by ICG’s Director General, General Paramesh Sivamani, and BAKAMLA’s Chief, Vice Admiral Irvansyah, with an eight-member Indonesian delegation on an official visit to India from January 24-28, 2025.
The discussions at the meeting focused on enhancing operational cooperation between the two coast guards. Topics of importance included maritime search and rescue operations, pollution response strategies, and maritime law enforcement.
Both countries acknowledged the significance of sharing best practices and maintaining continuous professional exchanges to improve maritime safety and resilience, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
These efforts come at a time when there is growing recognition of the need for multilateral cooperation to safeguard the region’s maritime interests.
As part of the renewed agreement, the ICG Ship Shaunak is currently on a deployment to Jakarta, scheduled from January 27-30, 2025. The deployment aims to further strengthen operational ties with BAKAMLA and serve as a platform for deeper collaboration in maritime safety and law enforcement.
This renewed MoU reaffirms the commitment of both India and Indonesia to work together in creating a secure maritime environment.
The two countries have long shared a strong bilateral relationship, with this MoU acting as a testament to their dedication to ensuring safe and secure seas for the entire region.
By enhancing their operational capabilities, both coast guards are better positioned to respond to emerging maritime challenges and uphold regional peace and stability.
