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At the recent meeting of heads of Asian coast guards where India plays a critical role, the participants held significant and extensive discussions on important issues such as maritime law enforcement, and preventing illicit trafficking of drugs, humans and weapons smugglings at sea.
During the Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) held in Turkiye from September 5-9, various issues of significance, such as maritime law enforcement, safety and security of life at sea, marine environment protection, illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons and humans at sea etc were discussed, Indian Coast Guard officials said. The four-member ICG delegation was led by DG Rakesh Pal, Director General Indian Coast Guard. This meeting was an annual event hosted by one of the members in rotation and ICG hosted the last edition (18th) of HACGAM at New Delhi in 2022. HACGAM is an independent forum with 23 member Coast Guard Agencies and two associate members.. This multilateral forum is an offshoot of the Japanese initiative to promote cooperation amongst regional Coast Guards, after the capture of the pirated vessel MV Alondra Rainbow by the Indian Coast Guard in Nov 1999. HACGAM primarily focuses on fostering cooperation between the Coast Guards of the member Asian states to ensure and promote safe, secure and clean seas in the region. HACGAM comprises of four Working Groups to enable a focused and goal-oriented approach towards coordinated response and synergy towards common maritime issues. Indian Coast Guard is the chair of the Search and Rescue (SAR) Working Group and a proactive member of the other Working Groups which include Environmental Protection, Controlling Unlawful Acts at Sea and Information sharing. This platform will go a long way in enhancing maritime cooperation between the Asian Coast Guards. The meeting is witnessing the participation of heads of Coast Guards of all member nations. (ANI)
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