Chennai: A Vietnamese Coast Guard ship arrived here Tuesday on its maiden visit, as part of efforts to enhance cooperation between the Indian and Vietnamese maritime forces and addressing maritime security threats facing both the countries.
The ship CSB 8001, led by commandant Major General Nguyen Van Son, was accorded a traditional reception at the Chennai Port Trust by Indian Coast Guard (East) inspector General Paramesh Sivamani. The vessel has sailed a distance of 3,575 nautical miles from Hanoi, Vietnam to reach Chennai. The visit offers an opportunity to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries and address maritime security threats facing both, such as human-trafficking, drugs and firearms, piracy and illegal fishing, an official press release said, adding that relations between the two Coast Guards “go back a long way with ICG ships calling on ports in Vietnam for professional interactions since 2001”.
According to the media release, the maritime forces of two nations would take part in a volley ball match during the ship’s stay here.
Also, a six-member delegation, headed by Commandant Van Son, arrived for interaction with the Indian Coast Guard officers and take part in a joint exercise ‘Sahyog-Hop Tac 2018’ off Chennai coast.
Three ships, a helicopter and a dornier from the Indian Coast Guard along with the Vietnam Coast Guard ship would take part in the exercise, the release said, adding that a vessel ‘Sagar Manjusha’, owned by National Institute of Ocean Technology, would also participate.
