India, Bahrain to enhance maritime co-operation

MANAMA: Indian Coast Guard will assist their Bahraini counterparts upgrade its skills in containing oil spills and conducting search and rescue operations, as part of efforts to enhance maritime co-operation.

"We want to explore these areas (of maritime co-operation) with Bahraini coastguards so that they know about our capabilities and experience in dealing with different situations," said Rakesh Pal, the commanding officer of Indian Coast Guard ship Vijit which arrived in Kingdom yesterday on a four-day visit.

"This offshore patrol vessel (OPV) is capable of combating oil spills, designed to carry one twin engine light helicopter and five high speed boats for search and rescue operations," Pal said, adding that they were keen to work with and train their Bahraini counterparts.

The vessel will dock at Mina Salman Port until Saturday as part of its 25-day deployment programme which also includes Qatar, UAE and Oman.

Vijit, which has around 120 personnel on board, is equipped with the most advanced navigation and communication equipment. It is also responsible for the surveillance of India's north western part where 70 per cent of the country's crude oil and gas imports pass through the Gulf of Kutch.

Pal said India has built world class maritime training and support facilities which are being used by coastguards of many countries.

"The Coastguard Academy in Kerala is being developed and capable of training hundreds of cadets including foreign coastguards," he added.

Indian Ambassador to Bahrain Mohan Kumar said he expects the visit will boost bilateral ties even though there was no defence agreement between the two countries.

"Maritime co-operation is essential as one country alone is not capable of handling different situations and requires co-operation from other countries," Kumar said.