India and Vietnam Coast Guards Strengthen Maritime Ties at 6th High-Level Meeting

The meeting was co-chaired by Additional Director General Anand Prakash Badola of the ICG and Vice Commandant Major General Vu Trung Kien of the VCG.

The 6th High-Level Meeting (HLM) between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam, on August 20, 2025, reaffirming the growing maritime partnership between the two nations. The meeting, held under the framework of the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Coast Guard Cooperation, focused on deepening operational collaboration in areas critical to maritime safety, law enforcement, and environmental protection.

Strategic Maritime Dialogue in Hanoi

The meeting was co-chaired by Additional Director General Anand Prakash Badola of the ICG and Vice Commandant Major General Vu Trung Kien of the VCG. The dialogue reflected the strong political will and mutual trust between India and Vietnam, both of whom are maritime neighbors with shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key discussions centered on:

• Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR): Improving interoperability and joint response mechanisms to enhance safety of life at sea.

• Maritime Law Enforcement: Countering piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes.

• Marine Pollution Response: Strengthening protocols for joint response to oil spills and marine hazards.

• Capacity Building: Expanding training, technical assistance, and exchange of expertise.

Tackling Transnational Maritime Challenges

Both sides acknowledged the rising threat of transnational maritime crimes, including smuggling of contraband, human trafficking, arms proliferation, and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The ICG and VCG underlined the need for coordinated patrols, information sharing, and joint enforcement actions to secure sea lanes of communication that are vital for regional trade and stability.

In this context, the delegations discussed ways to strengthen cooperation under existing frameworks, while also exploring new avenues for practical collaboration in line with evolving maritime challenges.

Enhancing Interoperability through Joint Activities

The two Coast Guards reviewed the outcomes of recent ship visits, joint exercises, and professional exchanges. They agreed to expand these initiatives to improve operational synergy and mutual understanding.

Both sides highlighted the importance of:

• Coordinated SAR Operations: Building mechanisms for swift and synchronized responses to maritime distress situations.

• Joint Pollution Response Exercises: Sharing best practices and operational know-how to safeguard marine ecosystems.

• Ship Visits and Training Exchanges: Enhancing people-to-people contacts among maritime personnel and fostering long-term institutional cooperation.

Strengthening Regional Security and Sustainability

The meeting underscored the strategic convergence between India and Vietnam in safeguarding the maritime domain. Both countries share a common vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, where maritime safety, freedom of navigation, and environmental sustainability are preserved.

The delegations reaffirmed their commitment to:

• Regular high-level and working-level dialogues.

• Training programs and professional development exchanges.

• Establishing platforms for joint research and capacity building in emerging maritime domains, including maritime domain awareness (MDA), cybersecurity, and unmanned systems.

A Spirit of Friendship and Cooperation

The 6th HLM served as a reaffirmation of the strong bonds between India and Vietnam, not only as strategic partners but also as trusted maritime collaborators. By committing to deepen cooperation, both sides demonstrated their shared resolve to work together for regional peace, security, and prosperity.

The meeting concluded with a joint statement emphasizing that such institutionalized engagements foster mutual trust, operational synergy, and resilience against maritime challenges, while also contributing to sustainable development of the marine environment.