Visakhapatnam: In a significant development for India-ASEAN maritime cooperation, the Indian Coast Guard's Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) Samudra Paheredar arrived at Muara Port, Brunei, on Tuesday. This port call marks the beginning of a three-day visit as part of the vessel's ongoing deployment to Southeast Asian nations.
The visit aligns with the India ASEAN Initiative for Marine Pollution, an initiative championed by defence minister Rajnath Singh during the 2022 ASEAN Defence Minister Plus Meeting in Cambodia.
The crew of the Samudra Paheredar will engage in a series of professional interactions with their Bruneian counterparts. These interactions will focus on crucial areas like Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), and Maritime Law Enforcement.
Planned activities include joint training exercises ("cross-deck training"), knowledge sharing sessions with subject matter experts, and friendly sports competitions with Brunei's Maritime Agencies.
Beyond strengthening bilateral ties, the visit serves as a platform to showcase India's prowess in shipbuilding, supporting the government's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) and "Make in India" initiatives.
Furthermore, 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets onboard the Samudra Paheredar will collaborate with local youth organizations in beach cleanup activities. This aligns with the government's "Swachh Sagar Abhiyan" (Clean Seas Mission) campaign, highlighting India's commitment to environmental protection.
