India, Bangladesh Coast Guard team up for maritime safety

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the ICG and BCG on June 6, 2015 to maintain a collaborative relationship to combat trans-national illegal activities at sea and development of regional cooperation between the coast guard units. Tajuddin is also set to participate in exercises and interactions with its Indian counterpart on issues related to maritime safety and environmental security.

Sanjeev Deewan, District Commander, Indian Coast Guard (East) welcomed his Bangladesh counterpart Commodore Bashir Uddin Ahmed, Commandant Coast Guard Base Agrajatra of Bangladesh Coast Guard.

BCG personnel will be visiting maritime rescue co-ordination centre, the coast guard air station and pollution response teams in Chennai. The delegation would be calling on important dignitaries around the city. A friendly volleyball match has also been scheduled on May 27.

The visit will serve as an opportunity to the coast guards of both the countries to hold discussions for peaceful maritime operations related to search and rescue (SAR), pollution response and anti-piracy missions. As a part of this, various other events are planned to develop interoperability between the two maritime forces in emergency response procedures and boarding operations.

Talks to share best practices and review procedures to increase effectiveness of cooperative efforts for issues that may arise in the common maritime areas shared in the Bay of Bengal will also feature during the visit.