As part of the on-going cooperation and multifaceted interaction between India and UAE, two ships of the Indian Coast Guard, ICGS Sangram and ICGS Durgabhai Deshmukh, are visiting Abu Dhabi from 11th – 13th November 2005. This would be the first official interaction between the Coast Guards of India and the UAE.

During the visit, in addition to holding official ceremonial receptions, the senior officers of the UAE Coast Guard will be witnessing a demonstration at sea by the visiting ships on 12th November 2005.

The Coast Guard has been designated as the nodal agency for all oil spill responses within India’s Exclusive Economic Zones under the National Oil Disaster Contingency Plan. Currently, the Coast Guard is capable to combat oil pollution upto 10,000 tons (tier-II) and is upgrading its capability to combat oil pollution exceeding 10,000 tons (tier-III).

ICGS Sangram is an advanced offshore patrol vessel capable of handling pollution control against oil and chemicals in addition to other standard coast guard functions. ICGS Durgabhai Deshmukh is a fast patrol vessel capable of high speed shallow water operations as well as interdiction in the high seas. Both ships are designed and built indigenously in India.