India and EU Strengthen Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea

October 27, 2023

In a significant move to enhance maritime security cooperation, India and the European Union (EU) conducted their first-ever joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea on October 24th. This exercise came on the heels of the third meeting of the EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue held on October 5th in Brussels.

Participants in the Gulf of Guinea

The joint naval exercise featured the participation of several vessels from both India and EU member states. Indian Naval Ship Sumedha, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, joined forces with three EU ships: Italian Ship Foscari from the Italian Navy, French Ship Ventôse from the French Navy, and Spanish Ship Tornado from the Spanish Navy. These ships engaged in a series of tactical maneuvers in international waters off the coast of Ghana.

Tactical Maneuvers and Knowledge Sharing

During the exercise, the participating ships practiced a range of maneuvers to bolster their operational capabilities. These maneuvers included boarding exercises, flying exercises utilizing helicopters on the French Ship Ventôse and Indian Naval Ship Sumedha, and the transfer of personnel between the vessels.

Following the joint naval exercise, a knowledge-sharing session took place in Accra. This session aimed to leverage the experience gained at sea to enhance operational expertise further. Additionally, it fostered stronger ties between Ghanaian officials and representatives from India, the EU, and EU member states with missions in Ghana.

Commitment to Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security

These collaborative activities underscored the shared commitment of India and the EU to bolstering the security of coastal states in the Gulf of Guinea. They also demonstrated support for the Yaoundé Architecture, a framework aimed at ensuring maritime security in the region. Furthermore, these efforts highlighted the depth and dynamism of EU-India cooperation in the realm of maritime security, while emphasizing their mutual resolve to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

« Previous Post Next Post »