Antony to inaugurate Intl Maritime SAR Conf 2008
New Delhi, Mar 11: Defence Minister A K Antony will inaugurate the two-day International Maritime Search and Rescue Conference (IMSARCON 2008) here today. India acceded to the International Maritime Organisation Convention on Search and Rescue in 2001.
The
accession
provided
the
much-needed
impetus
for
regional
and
international
cooperation
in
SAR
operations.
The
Indian
Coast
Guard
is
designated
as
the
nodal
agency
for
Maritime
Search
and
Rescue
in
Indian
Search
and
Rescue
Region
(ISRR)
under
the
convention.
It
has
been
entrusted
with
the
onerous
task
of
ensuring
the
security
of
the
Maritime
Zones
of
India
with
a
view
to
protect
maritime
and
other
national
interests
in
such
zones.
Given
India's
strategic
location,
it
is
but
natural
that
India
plays
a
lead
role
in
the
Indian
Ocean
region.
Consequently, the Indian Coast Guard has been playing a vital role in ensuring "Safety of Life at Sea" not only in the vast Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR) that extends over four million square kilometers, but also in adjoining Search and Rescue Regions whenever requested for assistance by the neighbouring countries. Close cooperation with our littoral neighbours is therefore essential for efficient coordination of Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR).
The Indian Coast Guard's interaction has been formally institutionalized with Japan, Maldives, and South Korea. Further, a working relationship has been established with Bangladesh, Malaysia, Mauritius, Oman, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam.
ANI