ICGS Vigraha begins operational visit to Indonesia to boost maritime cooperation
New Delhi, December 3. As part of its ongoing deployment to ASEAN nations, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vigraha arrived in Jakarta on December 2 for a three-day operational visit aimed at deepening maritime cooperation with the Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA).
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on December 3, during the stopover from December 2 to 5, personnel from both services will take part in a wide range of professional engagements, including tabletop exercises, shipboard drills, training sessions and discussions on operational coordination. The visit highlights the growing emphasis on Coast Guard-level collaboration in bolstering maritime safety, security and environmental protection across the region.
The joint activities will focus on maritime law enforcement, marine pollution response, and search and rescue – areas in which both countries have major responsibilities due to their expansive Exclusive Economic Zones and the heavy maritime traffic that transits their waters. Exercises are expected to sharpen interoperability for responding to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, trafficking, maritime accidents and environmental incidents. A Passage Exercise (PASSEX) will also be held to enhance communication, seamanship and operational cohesion between the two forces.
The programme includes courtesy calls, ship visits, yoga and sports events, and interactions at maritime training institutions – activities aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties and camaraderie among personnel, which officials say is essential for effective maritime cooperation. India and Indonesia, both key maritime democracies, have repeatedly reaffirmed their shared commitment to a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, with coast guard cooperation serving as a major pillar of this effort.
A central framework for this partnership is the 2020 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Indian Coast Guard and BAKAMLA, which formalised coordination in maritime law enforcement, coordinated patrols, search and rescue, pollution response, information sharing and capacity building. Since then, both sides have maintained steady engagement through training programmes, best-practice exchanges and joint maritime operations.
Over the years, ICG and BAKAMLA have developed a strong pattern of cooperation, supported by regular high-level engagements, coordinated patrols and participation in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led and Indo-Pacific initiatives. Indonesian personnel frequently attend specialised training courses in India, while visits by Indian Coast Guard ships have facilitated practical training and cross-deck interactions.
The Vigraha’s presence in Jakarta reinforces India’s commitment to strengthening ASEAN maritime partnerships and supporting regional preparedness. After completing its engagement in Indonesia, the ship will proceed to Port Klang, Malaysia, as part of its wider operational deployment aimed at enhancing regional coordination and promoting peace, stability and good order at sea in the Indo-Pacific.
