Convener News Desk
New Delhi, Dec 17: In a significant boost to India’s maritime outreach and regional connectivity initiatives, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Sarthak has made a strategic port call at Chabahar in Iran on December 16 as part of its ongoing overseas deployment to Gulf countries.
The offshore patrol vessel will remain at the port till December 19.
Located on the northern edge of the Gulf of Oman, Chabahar is a strategically important deep-water port that provides India with a direct maritime route to Iran, landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia.
The port offers New Delhi a shorter and geopolitically independent trade and transit corridor, bypassing routes through Pakistan, and plays a key role in India’s vision of enhanced regional connectivity, including linkage to the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Defence Spokesperson told Kashmir Convener that this marks the first-ever visit of an Indian Coast Guard ship to Chabahar, underscoring India’s expanding maritime engagement in the region.
The visit is seen as strengthening India’s ability to secure critical supply lines, expand economic influence, and project a cooperative development model in line with its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR maritime visions.
During the port call, Sarthak will undertake a range of professional and community-oriented engagements with the Iranian Navy and other maritime agencies. These include courtesy calls and professional interactions aimed at enhancing institutional cooperation and mutual understanding in maritime safety and security.
Key activities planned include joint training in Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) and Marine Pollution Response (MPR).
A marine pollution response demonstration will be conducted in Chabahar harbour, focusing on oil spill and Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spill response. The engagement will also feature MRCC-to-MRCC coordination drills, a table-top exercise, and joint Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) drills to improve interoperability and operational readiness between the two sides.
Beyond operational cooperation, the visit will include sports fixtures and a beach walkathon involving embarked National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, aligning with the national Puneet Sagar Abhiyan to promote marine environmental awareness and coastal cleanliness.
The Chabahar port call follows Sarthak’s earlier visit to Kuwait, where the ship engaged with the Kuwait Coast Guard, reflecting the Indian Coast Guard’s growing footprint and sustained engagement with maritime partners across the Gulf region.
Officials said the historic visit reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation, promoting a rules-based maritime order, and contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development across the Indian Ocean Region and the Gulf.(PIB)
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