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On November 11, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) conducted the 7th Annual High-Level Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The meeting was attended by a four-member delegation from ICG, led by Director General (DG) S Paramesh, and a delegation from SLCG, headed by Director General Rear Admiral YR Serasinghe.
Key Focus Areas and Outcomes
The meeting marked a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two maritime forces, reinforcing their shared commitment to addressing regional maritime security challenges. The discussions centered on a variety of contemporary maritime issues, including:
1. Combating Drug Trafficking: A major concern in the region, with both Coast Guards emphasizing the need for increased cooperation in curbing illegal maritime activities.
2. Marine Pollution: The two forces reiterated their commitment to combat marine pollution, aiming to protect the coastal and marine environment of the region.
3. Safety of Mariners: Ensuring the safety of personnel operating in the maritime domain through improved coordination and response mechanisms.
4. Best Practices and Capacity-Building: Both Coast Guards agreed on adopting best practices to enhance operational efficiency and safety, and on fostering capacity-building programs to improve their respective capabilities.
5. Other Collaborative Arrangements: The discussions included future cooperation in joint maritime patrols, surveillance, and information-sharing to bolster regional maritime safety and security.
Institutionalized Framework and Future Cooperation
The meeting reaffirmed the commitments made under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2018 between the two Coast Guards, which provides a structured framework for cooperation. The next edition of the meeting, the 8th Annual High-Level Meeting, will be hosted by ICG in 2025.
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