New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard (ROPCG) held their fifth annual High-Level Meeting in New Delhi on April 23, 2024, to strengthen the maritime safety and security framework in the Indian Ocean region and to increase bilateral cooperation in combating transnational illegal activities, a PIB press release stated.
The meeting focused on enhancing mutual cooperation in addressing maritime challenges by building capacity, increasing cross-ships’ visits, implementing the Sea Rider programme, and establishing professional linkages between pollution reporting centers and other collaborative arrangements. Both the governments of India and Oman expressed their commitment to strengthening their maritime cooperation to further strengthen the maritime safety and security framework in the region.
The meeting also discussed the implementation of the Sea Rider programme to promote international cooperation in the areas of maritime safety and security, pollution reporting, and capacity-building. The ROPCG delegation was headed by Assistant Officer Commanding Colonel Abdul Aziz Mohammed Ali Al Jabri, while the ICG delegation was led by Director General Rakesh Pal.