Indian Coast Guard Ships Samarth, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, and Abhinav, a Fast Patrol Vessel, arrived at Galle on February 27, 2024. They will remain there until March 1, 2024, before proceeding to Colombo from March 2 to March 5, 2024, prior to departing the island. During their stay, the ships will conduct training sessions for the Sri Lanka Coast Guard on various topics including VBSS, Fire Fighting and Damage Control, and Maritime Pollution Response. Additionally, they will engage in professional interactions and activities such as yoga, beach cleaning, and a walkathon.
A Passage Exercise (PASSEX) will be conducted with a Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship upon departure from both Galle and Colombo. To foster people-to-people connections and raise awareness about the Indian Coast Guard and its capabilities, the ships will be open for visits by school children. They will also host a reception onboard for guests from Sri Lanka, including senior officials from the defense hierarchy and civil administration.
The visit of these Indian Coast Guard Ships aims to enhance the capabilities of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and its personnel to effectively address maritime security challenges in the region. This visit aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine and its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, emphasizing camaraderie and interoperability between the two friendly neighboring navies.