India and Sri Lanka Coast Guards Strengthen Maritime Cooperation

The Indian Coast Guard and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard convened their 8th High-Level Meeting in New Delhi on 11 August 2025, focusing on marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and capacity building. According to the Government of India’s Press Information Bureau, both sides reaffirmed their commitments to operational coordination and to advancing practical cooperation across shared areas of responsibility in the Indian Ocean region[1].

The discussions were held under the framework of the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding between the two maritime agencies, with the Sri Lankan delegation led by Director General Rear Admiral Y.R. Serasinghe and the Indian delegation headed by Director General Paramesh Sivamani. The visiting Sri Lanka Coast Guard team is in India from 10–14 August 2025 for the High-Level Meeting and related professional interactions[1].

Agenda and Focus Areas

The meeting placed particular emphasis on strengthening interoperability and joint readiness for incidents at sea. The four priority domains reflected an operational agenda aligned to evolving maritime risks in the region, and to the need for coordinated responses in shared waters:

• Marine pollution response, including preparedness, joint exercises, and information exchange on spill management and containment[1].
• Maritime search and rescue, with a focus on protocols for cross-border assistance, distress alert coordination, and faster on-scene response[1].
• Maritime law enforcement, encompassing measures to address illegal activities at sea and to ensure safe, secure navigation and compliance with applicable laws[1].
• Capacity building and technical assistance, aimed at training, best-practice sharing, and institutional strengthening for sustained cooperation[1].

Officials noted that these priorities build on established operational linkages between the two coast guards, and that the intent is to ensure timely, coordinated action when dealing with emergencies, environmental incidents, or law enforcement challenges across the shared maritime domain[1].

Institutional Framework and Leadership

The bilateral engagement is anchored in the 2018 MoU between the Indian Coast Guard and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, which has facilitated regular high-level exchanges and operational touchpoints. The 2025 meeting, chaired by the respective Director Generals, reaffirmed a leadership-level commitment to maintain momentum on joint initiatives and to institutionalize mechanisms for cooperation such as joint training and standard operating procedures[1].

The presence of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard delegation in India for several days beyond the formal meeting schedule reflects the design of the engagement to include professional interactions with relevant units and facilities, supporting practical learning and continuity of coordination at the working level[1].

Operational Coordination: What Was Reaffirmed

The sides reiterated their resolve to deepen operational coordination, specifically in:

• Real-time information sharing during search and rescue operations to expedite assistance and minimize loss of life at sea[1].
• Coordinated readiness for marine pollution incidents with a common understanding of response triggers, resource deployment, and post-incident review[1].
• Joint approaches to maritime law enforcement where cross-border cooperation, including communication channels and liaison mechanisms, can help deter illegal activities and enhance maritime safety[1].
• Systematic capacity building through training exchanges, technical workshops, and development of shared best-practice manuals to enable consistent standards of response[1].

The operational outcomes target faster decision cycles, clearer roles and responsibilities in emergencies, and more predictable cooperation to manage cross-jurisdictional challenges in the Bay of Bengal and adjacent waters[1].

Marine Pollution Response

Marine pollution incidents, including oil and chemical spills, pose complex cross-border challenges due to currents, prevailing weather, and shipping traffic density. The meeting’s emphasis on spill response preparedness encompasses several practical dimensions:

• Pre-agreed notification protocols to ensure early warning and rapid mobilization of response assets when pollution crosses or is likely to cross maritime boundaries[1].
• Compatibility of equipment and deployment techniques, enabling effective mutual assistance during large-scale incidents[1].
• Joint exercises and tabletop simulations to validate response plans, clarify command structures, and identify capability gaps[1].
• Post-incident reviews to document lessons learned and update contingency plans for both countries[1].

Such measures support environmental protection goals and safeguard coastal livelihoods that depend on clean marine ecosystems. Enhanced preparedness can also reduce the economic costs of prolonged response and restoration efforts[1].

Search and Rescue Cooperation

Maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations often require quick coordination across Search and Rescue Regions (SRRs) when distress calls involve vessels transiting near maritime boundaries. The meeting underscored:

• Shared situational awareness through timely exchange of distress alerts and positional data[1].
• Clear escalation pathways to request cross-border assistance when the nearest capable asset belongs to the other coast guard[1].
• Common SAR procedures for on-scene coordination to avoid duplication and ensure safety of responders and survivors[1].
• Training exchanges for SAR mission coordinators and crew to standardize practices and communications[1].

These steps aim to reduce response times, optimize asset deployment, and improve survival outcomes in maritime incidents, including capsized vessels, medical evacuations, or mass rescue operations[1].

Maritime Law Enforcement

The meeting also focused on maritime law enforcement cooperation, recognizing the necessity of coordinated deterrence and response to unlawful activities at sea. Discussions touched on:

• Information sharing on patterns of illegal activities and suspicious movements to enable targeted patrols and interdictions[1].
• Deconflicted patrolling arrangements where appropriate, with communication protocols to avoid operational overlap[1].
• Legal and procedural coordination to handle cases with cross-border elements, ensuring due process and compliance with maritime and fisheries laws[1].
• Awareness measures for seafarers and fishers to promote compliance and safe conduct at sea[1].

Cooperation in this domain supports safer sea lanes and the protection of maritime resources, while reducing risks for the marine workforce through consistent enforcement practices[1].

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

Expanding capacity through joint training and technical assistance is a central pillar of the bilateral agenda. The meeting reaffirmed efforts to:

• Conduct specialized training modules in oil spill response, SAR coordination, boarding operations, and pollution surveillance[1].
• Share best practices in maintenance of equipment such as booms, skimmers, and SAR gear[1].
• Develop common reference materials to standardize operating procedures across teams[1].
• Facilitate attachments and study visits to operational centers to strengthen professional networks[1].

These initiatives enhance readiness, improve interoperability, and support sustained professional development for personnel in both organizations[1].

Implementation Mechanisms

Implementation will rely on structured channels established under the 2018 MoU, including scheduled working-level interactions, joint exercises, and reciprocal liaison. The extended visit of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard delegation facilitates direct engagement with Indian Coast Guard units, enabling hands-on familiarization with systems and practices that can be adapted or aligned across agencies[1].

Meeting outcomes typically translate into updated standard operating procedures, exercise plans, and training calendars. The emphasis on operational coordination suggests continued focus on joint drills, incident communication tests, and coordinated patrols where applicable[1].

Administrative and Public Impact

For administrative systems, the reaffirmed cooperation supports better contingency planning and more efficient use of resources. Joint preparedness reduces the administrative burden during crises by clarifying responsibilities and minimizing duplication of effort. For the public, particularly coastal communities and maritime workers, the benefits include stronger protection against environmental incidents, improved chances of rescue during distress, and safer seas through enhanced enforcement of maritime laws[1].

Environmental stewardship is an explicit outcome area. Coordinated marine pollution response helps protect fisheries, tourism, and biodiversity. Improved SAR capacity directly affects seafarer safety. Enhanced law enforcement reduces risks associated with unsafe practices and illegal operations, contributing to overall maritime safety and economic stability in coastal regions[1].

Context within India’s Ongoing Maritime Engagements

The High-Level Meeting fits within India’s broader maritime safety and blue economy agenda, where sectoral coordination and stakeholder engagement are central. Parallel policy dialogues and industry-facing meetings are being held in New Delhi to strengthen fisheries, logistics, and export competitiveness, illustrating the multi-layered approach to maritime sector development. For instance, on the same day as the HLM, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying convened a Seafood Exporters Meet to discuss value addition, market linkages, and infrastructure upgrades for fisheries, in coordination with agencies such as MPEDA and EIC[2][4].

While the Coast Guard meeting addresses operational maritime safety and environmental protection, the fisheries meeting addresses value chains and trade. Together, these developments reflect a comprehensive approach to maritime governance where safety, sustainability, and economic objectives are pursued in tandem through inter-agency coordination and stakeholder consultation[1][2][4].

Statements and Public Messaging

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work closely in addressing contemporary maritime challenges, ensuring safety, security, and environmental stewardship in the shared maritime domain[1].

The joint messaging emphasizes continuity in bilateral cooperation and the importance of practical, outcomes-focused collaboration. The stress on environmental stewardship underscores the priority accorded to marine ecosystems, while the operational focus on SAR and law enforcement indicates a safety-first orientation in maritime governance[1].

Next Steps

Following the High-Level Meeting, officials are expected to translate the reaffirmed commitments into updated operational plans. Anticipated steps include:

• Scheduling joint pollution response and SAR exercises for the next operational cycle[1].
• Refreshing contact lists and communication protocols for real-time coordination during incidents[1].
• Aligning training calendars to expand personnel exchanges, including specialized technical courses[1].
• Reviewing equipment interoperability to identify needs for compatible systems or standardized procedures[1].

The visiting delegation’s professional interactions in India provide an immediate opportunity to align priorities at the unit level and to validate procedural updates before they are codified into bilateral SOPs[1].

Relevance for Coastal Stakeholders

Coastal communities, fishers, shipping operators, and port authorities are likely to see direct benefits from streamlined protocols and faster, coordinated responses. In practice, this can lead to quicker distress assistance, more efficient containment of pollution incidents near shared maritime boundaries, and reduced operational uncertainty due to consistent enforcement practices. Over time, these measures can improve confidence in maritime safety systems and support economic activity dependent on secure and clean seas[1].

Background of the High-Level Meeting Mechanism

The High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard and Sri Lanka Coast Guard is a recurring bilateral mechanism designed to review cooperation, set priorities, and resolve implementation issues. Under the 2018 MoU, the mechanism enables periodic assessment of joint activities, including cross-border incident handling, information sharing, and training programs. The 8th iteration marks continuity and institutional consolidation, with both agencies indicating their intent to maintain and deepen operational linkages[1].

Key Takeaways

• The 8th High-Level Meeting in New Delhi prioritized marine pollution response, SAR, maritime law enforcement, and capacity building[1].
• Operational coordination commitments were reaffirmed, with an emphasis on interoperability, real-time information sharing, and joint exercises[1].
• The meeting was led by the heads of both coast guards and conducted under the existing 2018 MoU framework[1].
• The Sri Lanka Coast Guard delegation’s extended visit supports professional interactions to sustain working-level coordination[1].
• Parallel sectoral engagements in New Delhi underscore a broader push to strengthen maritime safety, environmental stewardship, and economic outcomes in the fisheries and maritime domains[2][4].

Outlook

The structured reaffirmation of coordination measures suggests continuity in bilateral maritime cooperation, with actionable follow-ups in training, exercises, and information sharing. As marine traffic grows and environmental sensitivities intensify, the emphasis on preparedness and joint response capacities is likely to remain a central feature of the India–Sri Lanka maritime partnership. The formal mechanisms in place, combined with periodic leadership-level reviews, provide a framework for iterative improvements and adaptive response to emerging maritime challenges[1].

Sources

Press Information Bureau releases are the primary sources for the details in this report, including the agenda, leadership representation, and timelines of the meeting[1]. Separate PIB communications on the Seafood Exporters Meet provide context on concurrent maritime sector engagements in New Delhi[2][4].

For official updates and any subsequent operational advisories arising from the High-Level Meeting, readers should refer to communications from the Indian Coast Guard and the Press Information Bureau.