New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard's ship Samudra Paheredar, specially equipped for pollution control, has made its presence felt in Manila Bay, Philippines, as part of its mission to ASEAN countries, officials reported on Tuesday. The vessel is armed with advanced marine pollution control gear and even carries a Chetak Helicopter configured for pollution response, all geared to manage and clean up oil spills effectively, authorities added.

The Samudra Paheredar docked at Manila Bay on March 25 for a brief three-day stopover.

"The arrival of this specialized Pollution Control Vessel is a key step in demonstrating the Indian Coast Guard's capabilities in tackling marine pollution. It also signifies our commitment to addressing environmental concerns in the ASEAN region while fostering closer ties with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)," stated the Defense Ministry in New Delhi.

The ship's overseas deployment to ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei, spans from March 25 to April 12.

"This marks the third consecutive deployment of an Indian Coast Guard vessel to ASEAN countries. In 2023, similar vessels visited Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia as part of our ongoing efforts," the ministry noted.

During its current voyage, the ship is scheduled to make stops in Manila (Philippines), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), and Muara (Brunei).

The visit agenda includes showcasing pollution response techniques and demonstrating various equipment, according to officials.

Moreover, the ship is hosting 25 cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) to engage in the Indian government's 'Puneet Sagar Abhiyan' initiative, aiming for international cooperation with partner nations, officials confirmed.

Under an overseas exchange program, NCC cadets, along with the ship's crew and other partners, will participate in beach clean-up drives and similar activities during port calls, the statement highlighted.

"This visit serves as a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties with key maritime agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard, Vietnam Coast Guard, and Brunei Maritime agencies," the statement emphasized.

The Indian Coast Guard has existing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Coast Guards of the Philippines and Vietnam, focused on enhancing maritime cooperation, safety, and security.

These relationships have matured over time to ensure regional safety, security, and environmental protection. The visit's agenda includes professional exchanges, joint exercises, and social engagements, besides visits to capacity-building facilities, officials outlined.

"ICGS Samudra Paheredar, based on India's east coast in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, operates under the command of Deputy Inspector General Sudhir Ravindran. Over the years, it has successfully conducted various Coast Guard operations, including pollution response, maritime surveillance, counter-transnational crimes, and search and rescue missions," the statement concluded.

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