MoU Between Indian & Philippines Coast Guard For Bilateral Cooperation

The Indian Coast Guard has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) to enhance bilateral cooperation . It was the first ever bilateral meeting between the two nations' Coast Guard.

The MoU was signed by Director General Indian Coast Guard Rakesh Pal, and Coast Guard Admiral Artemio M Abu, Commandant, Philippines Coast Guard the Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi on 22 August 2023.

The MoU seeks to enhance the professional linkage between the two Coast Guards in the domain of Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Maritime Search & Rescue (M-SAR) and Marine Pollution Response (MPR). The cooperation between the two Coast Guard will help in ensuring safe, secure and clean seas in the region.

Indian Coast Guard

History of Indian Coast Guard 

The Nag Committee set up by the government of India in 1970 suggested setting up a separate marine force in the country to check the sea borne smuggling activity. Till then the Indian Navy used to perform this function.

In 1974 the government of India set up a committee headed  by KF Rustamji  to suggest measures to protect Indian marine resources and to curb illegal maritime activities  and smuggling .

The committee recommended setting up a coast guard type of a marine organisation. Government accepted the recommendation of the Rustamji committee and the Indian Coast Guard was formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister Morarji Desai on 19 August 1978.

Function of Indian Coast Guard

Its main role is to prevent seaborne smuggling of goods, to ensure the safety and protection of the islands, and to provide protection and assistance to the Indian fishermen and mariners at the high seas.

Administrative Control  

The Indian Coast Guard comes under the Union Ministry of Defence.

Motto of Indian Coast Guard : “Vayam Rakshamah - We Protect”

Headquarters: Ministry of Defence, New Delhi

Director-General: Rakesh Pal