India-Sri Lanka Coast Guard Talks Focus on Enhanced Maritime Safety and Joint Training

Colombo, Sri Lanka – Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) held 7th Annual High-Level Meeting today in Colombo, underscoring shared commitment of both maritime forces toward dressing regional security and maritime challenges. This year’s meeting was led by a four-member ICG delegation, heed by Director General S. Paramesh, alongside SLCG delegation led by Director General Rear miral Y.R. Serasinghe. annual meeting marked a significant milestone in cooperative maritime efforts between two nations and ongoing collaboration between ir coast guards.

high-level discussions centred on key maritime issues facing region, with both Coast Guards agreeing to strengn collaboration in areas such as anti-drug trafficking operations, marine pollution control, mariner safety, capacity-building programs, and option of best practices. Both delegations highlighted importance of dressing se pressing issues with an enhanced cooperative approach, reiterating a joint commitment to uphold security, safety, and environmental health of ir shared waters. 

meeting furr reviewed outcomes of previous cooperative efforts and outlined steps for enhancing existing protocols, training, and operational exercises. 

Strengning Maritime Safety Through Cooperation 

Both delegations emphasized need to share real-time intelligence to bolster ir abilities to respond swiftly to maritime threats. This includes drug trafficking—a persistent issue in region—where both India and Sri Lanka have committed to cooperating closely to track and curb flow of illegal narcotics through maritime channels. Enhanced measures for preventing marine pollution were also a central me, with both Coast Guards working toward implementing more stringent control and response protocols to minimize environmental dam. 

In line with Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between two ncies in May 2018, this institutionalized annual meeting ensures that both Coast Guards continue to eng on critical maritime matters and work collaboratively on solutions. MoU provides a framework for mutual support, regular exchange programs, and coordinated operations, reflecting strategic alignment between India and Sri Lanka in maritime domain. 

Enhanced Regional Stability and Preparedness 

ICG and SLCG concluded meeting with renewed commitments to furr strengn mutual support mechanisms and collaborative arrangements. se measures include joint training initiatives, search and rescue exercises, and furr standardization of protocols for shared maritime responsibilities.

8th Annual High-Level Meeting between Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards is scheduled to be hosted by Indian Coast Guard in 2025, where both ncies are expected to continue building on progress achieved in Colombo. Today’s meeting highlights growing depth of Indo-Sri Lankan maritime partnership, emphasizing a shared vision for regional stability and sustainable maritime security.