A 5 member delegation of the Philippine Coast Guard(PCG) led by Admiral Artemio Manalo Abu, Commandant of PCG was on an official tour to India from 20th to 24th August 2023.
PCG delegation visits Goa:
On 21st August 2023, the delegates visited Goa and witnessed the operation capabilities of the Indian Coastal Guard (ICG) Ships and aircraft under “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
i.They toured several ICG facilities including the frontline offshore patrol vessel- Indian Coast Guard Ship(ICGS) Sujeet.
ii.The aerospace industry capabilities were also showcased along with a customer demonstration flight (CDF) on the Indian Coast Guard Advance Light Helicopter MK-III (ALH MK 3 helicopter) by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
iii.They also visited the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), one of the leading shipbuilding companies in India.
ICG & PCG held 1st bilateral meet & signed MoU on enhanced maritime cooperation
ICG and PCG held their first-ever bilateral meeting on a range of maritime issues in Goa. This meeting signifies the dedication to strengthening professional bonds by sharing best practices, conducting joint exercises and enhancing training collaborations.
MoU on maritime cooperation:
On 22nd August 2023, The Indian Coastal Guard (ICG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PCG on enhanced maritime cooperation.
- The MoU was signed by Rakesh Pal, Director General (DG) of the ICG and Admiral Artemio Manalo Abu, Commandant of PCG at the Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi, Delhi.
Features of the MoU:
- The MoU aims to enhance the professional linkage between ICG and PCG in the domain of Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) and Marine Pollution Response (MPR).
- This MoU will enhance the bilateral maritime cooperation between India and the Philippines to ensure safe, secure and clean seas in the region.
CNS India & Commandant of PCG signed an SOP for White Shipping Information Exchange
On 23rd August 2023, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff(CNS), Indian Navy, and Admiral Artemio Manalo Abu, Commandant of PCG signed the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) for the exchange of White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and PCG, in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The MoU was signed as a part of the visit of the PCG Commandant to India.
Key Points:
The MoU would enable the operationalisation of information exchange on merchant shipping traffic and will also contribute to enhanced maritime safety and security in the region.
Recent Related News:
On June 19, 2023, the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance (MoF), Government of India and the Department of Finance (DOF), Government of Philippines, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Financial Technology (fintech) cooperation.
About the Philippines:
The Philippines is officially known as the Republic of the Philippines.
President– Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Capital– Manila
Currency– Philippine peso
