The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) held their seventh High-Level Meeting in Chennai on Tuesday, focusing on strengthening cooperation in maritime search and rescue, law enforcement, marine pollution response and capacity building.
The meeting, held on August 25 under the framework of the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Coast Guard Cooperation, was co-chaired by ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani and VCG Vice Commandant Major General Luong Dinh Hung.
The two sides reviewed ongoing bilateral engagements and discussed ways to further strengthen operational cooperation and interoperability between the two maritime security forces.
Key areas of discussion included Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), Maritime Law Enforcement, Marine Pollution Response and capacity building. The delegations also reviewed professional exchanges and ship visits undertaken as part of the ongoing bilateral engagement.
Both Coast Guards stressed the importance of maintaining regular institutional interactions, expanding training programmes and professional exchanges, sharing best practices and increasing ship visits. Such engagements, they noted, would help strengthen mutual trust, coordination and operational capabilities.
The meeting reaffirmed India’s and Vietnam’s shared commitment to working together in a spirit of friendship and cooperation to promote maritime safety, security and environmental sustainability in the region.
As part of the continuing bilateral engagement, the India-Vietnam Coast Guard Joint Exercise, SAHYOG-HOPTAC, is scheduled to be conducted at sea on August 27, 2026.
The exercise will provide an opportunity for the two Coast Guards to enhance operational coordination and interoperability while exchanging professional experience and best practices.
