NEW DELHI. DG Rajendra Singh, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard is hosting a six member delegation of the Vietnam Coast Guard led by Major General Nguyen Van Son, Commandant, Vietnam Coast Guard ( VCG) in India from September 29 to October 04, 2018.

A High Level Meeting (HLM) between the two Coast Guard was held at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi on October 1 under the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2015. The Indian delegation was led by Director General Rajendra Singh. During the meeting both sides agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation in accordance with the provisions of MoU. Sharing of best management practices and augmenting operational level interaction were also agreed upon.

Relations between the two Coast Guards go back a long way with ICG ships visiting Vietnam for professional interactions since 2001.This meeting is in continuation of the efforts by the governments of the two countries to enhance cooperation between the Coast Guards in the field of maritime safety and security at sea.

The Commandant along with delegation will be travelling to Chennai to take part in the welcome ceremony of the first Vietnam Coast Guard Ship to India and also participate in the joint exercise scheduled off Chennai on October 4, 2018. VCG ship CSB 8001 is scheduled to arrive Chennai on October 2, 2018 for professional interaction and participating in the joint exercise.

The meeting was significant in providing added impetus to the already existing professional relationship between the Coast Guard of India and Vietnam.