Indian Coast Guard Chief Visits Sri Lanka
On November 12, Indian Coast Guard Chief Director General S Paramesh visited Sri Lanka to discuss regional maritime security. He met with India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, to explore ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
Meetings with Key Officials
During his visit, DG Paramesh also met with Sri Lanka Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera. They discussed strengthening the collaboration between the Indian Coast Guard and the Sri Lanka Navy.
Annual High-Level Meeting
The visit coincided with the 7th Annual High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. This meeting focused on combating transnational maritime crime and promoting regional cooperation. The meeting was led by DG Paramesh and Rear Admiral YR Serasinghe of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.
The discussions covered various issues such as drug trafficking, marine pollution, and safety of mariners. Both sides committed to enhancing mutual cooperation and strengthening maritime safety and security in the region.
Future Plans
The 8th annual meeting is scheduled to be hosted by the Indian Coast Guard in 2025. DG Paramesh, who took over as the 26th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard in October, has had a distinguished career in various roles within the organization.
Doubts Revealed
Indian Coast Guard -: The Indian Coast Guard is a branch of India’s armed forces responsible for protecting India’s maritime interests and enforcing maritime law. They help keep the seas safe from illegal activities like smuggling and piracy.
S Paramesh -: S Paramesh is the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, which means he is the top officer in charge of the Coast Guard in India.
Sri Lanka -: Sri Lanka is an island country located to the south of India in the Indian Ocean. It is a neighbor of India and shares maritime boundaries with it.
Maritime Security -: Maritime security involves protecting the seas and oceans from illegal activities like piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing. It ensures safe and secure seas for trade and travel.
High Commissioner -: A High Commissioner is a senior diplomat who represents their country in another Commonwealth country. Santosh Jha is India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, meaning he represents India in Sri Lanka.
Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera -: Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is a high-ranking officer in the Sri Lanka Navy. He is responsible for leading the naval forces of Sri Lanka.
7th Annual High-Level Meeting -: This is a yearly meeting where high-ranking officials from the Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards come together to discuss and improve cooperation on maritime issues.
Maritime Crime -: Maritime crime includes illegal activities that happen at sea, such as piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing. These activities can harm trade and security in the region.
Regional Cooperation -: Regional cooperation means countries in a specific area, like South Asia, working together to solve common problems and improve safety and security in their region.