Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands – The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) recently conducted a joint exercise, codenamed "Sea Defender 2024", off the coast of Port Blair. The exercise is aimed at bolstering maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two forces.
The ICG shared images and video footage of the exercise on Social Media Platform X, stating
The multi-day exercise focused on enhancing coordination and response capabilities in areas such as maritime security, search and rescue, and pollution response.
The involvement of the USCG's Legend-class cutter, USCGC Bertholf, underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthen collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
Building on a History of Cooperation
"Sea Defender 2024" builds upon a growing strategic partnership between the ICG and the USCG.The two coast guards have a history of conducting joint exercises, highlighting shared interests in maintaining regional stability and the rule of law at sea.
Experts in maritime security see "Sea Defender 2024" as a crucial step in solidifying a vital strategic relationship between India and the United States.
These joint exercises are expected to become more frequent and complex in the future, reflecting a shared determination to safeguard maritime security in a critical region.
