Page 6 - The Indian EYE 040524

NATION APRIL 05, 2024 | The Indian Eye 6

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Amid rising tensions, Jaishankar goes to

Manila along with Indian naval ship

During its deployment, the ship is scheduled to make port calls in Manila (Philippines),

Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), and Muara (Brunei)

OUR BUREAU
Manila/New Delhi
n an important move, External Affairs Minister
S Jaishankar visited Indian Coast Guard Ship
ISamudra Paheredar on Tuesday during its port
call to Manila and said that India’s Act East poli-
cy and Indo-Pacific vision will continue to give it a
more contemporary form.
He presented his remarks at the Indian Coast
Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar on Tuesday and
said that his visit and the ship’s presence signify
the deepening relations between the two countries.
“Pleased to visit the Indian Coast Guard Ship
Samudra Paheredar during its port call to Manila.
My visit and the ship’s presence signify the deep-
ening India-Philippines relations. India’s long and
distinguished Indian maritime tradition’s civiliza-
tional imprint is still visible in this region. Our Act
East policy and Indo-Pacific vision will continue
giving it a more contemporary form,” EAM Jais-
hankar posted on social media X.
He further expressed pleasure in meeting ev- Indian Coast Guard ship, Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, arrived in Manila, Philippines to demon-
eryone and addressing them on board the Indian
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar during its strate marine pollution response capabilities towards the India-Asean initiative (ANI)
port call to Manila. The ship’s presence coincided
with Jaishankar’s bilateral visit. “Cooperation be- a row by the Indian Coast Guard to ASEAN coun- “The visit’s agenda includes professional ex-
tween the coast guards of our two nations was facil- tries. Earlier in the year 2023, ICG Pollution Con- changes, cross-deck visits, joint exercises, as well
itated by an understanding of enhanced maritime trol Vessels visited Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, as official and social engagements including visits
cooperation that was reached last year,” he said. Thailand, and Indonesia as part of the initiative. to capacity-building facilities,” it added.
Jaishankar arrived in Manila after paying an During its deployment, the ship is scheduled ICGS Samudra Paheredar, stationed on the East
official visit to Singapore and then visited Ma- to make port calls in Manila (Philippines), Ho Chi Coast of India in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh,
laysia after the Philippines. Jaishankar was on an Minh (Vietnam), and Muara (Brunei). is under the Command of Deputy Inspector Gener-
official visit to these countries at the invitation of “Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, al Sudhir Ravindran. Over the years, Samudra Pa-
his counterparts, according to an official release of a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, arrived at heredar has successfully undertaken various Coast
the Ministry of External Affairs. Manila Bay, Philippines on 25 March 2024 on a Guard operations, including Pollution Response,
The visit of the EAM spanning five days from three-day visit. The visit of specialized Pollution IMBL/EEZ surveillance, counter-transnational
March 23-27 focused on enhancing bilateral rela- Control Vessels is part of a broader initiative crimes, and Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR).
tions with the three countries and will provide an aimed at demonstration of ICG Marine Pollution Meanwhile, the Philippines Department of
opportunity for engagement on regional issues of Response capabilities and shared concern & re- Foreign Affairs, in a statement said that Manila
mutual concern. solve towards Marine Pollution in the ASEAN re- conveyed its “strong protest against the aggressive
Amid tensions in the South China Sea, the gion, besides bolstering bilateral cooperation with actions” undertaken by China’s Coast Guard and
Indian Coast Guard ship, Samudra Paheredar the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG),” Ministry said Chinese maritime militias against the Philippine
docked at the Manila Bay in the Philippines as in a release. mission near the Second Thomas Shoal in the
part of a broader initiative aimed at demonstrat- The ICG Samudra Paheredar ship is equipped South China Sea.
ing ICG Marine Pollution Response capabilities, with specialized marine pollution control equip- The department said it has also instructed its
the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in an official ment and a Chetak Helicopter in Pollution Re- mission in Beijing to lodge a formal complaint over
release on Tuesday. sponse configuration, designed to contain, and re- the incident. The move comes a day after Philip-
The ICG ship which arrived at the port on Mon- cover spilled oil and augment the operation. The pines’ National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano
day, is on an overseas deployment to ASEAN coun- demonstration at visiting ports includes Pollution said the confrontation that injured three Filipino
tries namely the Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei Response training and a practical display of vari- soldiers caused severe damage to the Unaizah
from 25 March to 12 April 2024 and is the third in ous equipment. May 4 vessel.

www.TheIndianEYE.com