Samudra Prahari at Pollution Response Exercise in Thailand

Padmesh Prabhune

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Pollution-Control Vessel ‘Samudra Prahari’ carried out a comprehensive Pollution Response Table-Top exercise and demonstration at Khlong Toei Port in Bangkok, highlighting India’s maritime expertise and commitment towards addressing shared challenges, particularly marine pollution.
The exercise was carried out the last day of its four-day visit to Thailand on September 20, 2023. It involved personnel from Thailand’s Maritime Enforcement Coordination Centre (MECC), Customs Department, Marine Department, Royal Navy, Fisheries Department and other government officials.
The exercise involved a scenario that devised and tested Thailand’s Maritime Pollution Response contingency plan in collaboration with the ICG. It fostered knowledge sharing and an interactive environment among the services, ensuring seamless cooperation during real-life oil pollution scenarios. The exercise demonstrated ICG’s pollution response capabilities and India’s shared commitment towards the region.
The visit of ‘Samudra Prahari’ to Bangkok under the India-ASEAN initiative marks a significant milestone in elevating ties between the ICG and Thai MECC in the maritime domain and highlighting India as a dependable maritime partner, in line with firstly Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security & Growth for All in the Region), and secondly the theme of India’s G20 Presidency ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
Commanding Officer DIG GD Raturi also held a meeting with the Director General of Office of Policy and Plans Rear Admiral Wichnu Thupa-ang at Thai-MECC Headquarters. Both the leaders discussed growing relations between India and Thailand in the field of maritime safety and security.
-Marex Media