Two Indian Coast Guard Ships, namely ‘Samarth’ and ‘Abhinav,’ have reached Sri Lanka after the conclusion of the 16th ‘Dosti’ trilateral exercise in Malé, the Maldives.
The Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Samarth’ and Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Abhinav’ docked at Galle Harbour on Tuesday (Feb. 27) and are scheduled to set sail to Colombo Port on March 02, as confirmed by the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
The Commanding Officers of the Indian Coast Guard Ships, Deputy Inspector General P Pradeep Kumar and Commandant (JG) Prabhat Kumar, will be meeting with the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and other senior officers.
During their stay, the ships will conduct training sessions for the Sri Lanka Coast Guard on various topics, including VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure), Fire Fighting, Damage Control, and Maritime Pollution Response. Additionally, professional interactions and activities such as yoga, beach cleaning, and a walkathon are planned. A Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship will be conducted upon departure, off Galle and Colombo.
In an effort to enhance people-to-people connectivity and raise awareness about the Indian Coast Guard and its capabilities, the ships will be open for visits by school children. A reception onboard for guests from Sri Lanka, including senior officials from the defense hierarchy and civil administration, will also be hosted.
The visit of these Indian Coast Guard Ships is expected to significantly contribute to strengthening the capabilities of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and its personnel, facilitating more effective responses to maritime security challenges in the region.
The ongoing visits by Indian Naval Ships and Submarines to Colombo align with India’s commitment to fostering camaraderie and interoperability between the two neighboring navies, in line with India’s ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR) doctrine and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
