Indian Coast Guard Ship Sajag’s Three-Day Visit to Oman

November 30, 2023

The Indian Coast Guard Ship Sajag, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, reached Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman, on November 29, 2023, marking a three-day visit as part of the Indian Coast Guard’s deployment to West Asia. The visit is aimed at strengthening long-standing diplomatic ties between India and Oman, enhancing maritime cooperation, and promoting interoperability with the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard (ROPCG) and other maritime agencies.

Scheduled Activities for Interaction

Several activities and interactions are scheduled during the visit, including professional engagements like onboard training, lectures, Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), cross-deck visits, joint yoga sessions, planning conferences, and table-top exercises for Marine Pollution Response (MPR). During this West Asia deployment, ICGS Sajag is also scheduled to make port calls in Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and Mina Rashid, UAE, playing a crucial role in strengthening bilateral relationships with key maritime agencies.

Building Relations with Oman

The Commanding Officer of ICGS Sajag will make courtesy calls on various dignitaries and government officials of Oman, including the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard. Oman and India have historically maintained warm and friendly bilateral relations, sharing common values and diverse cultures.

Annual High-Level Meetings and Ship Visits

Regular interactions between ICG and ROPCG occur through annually conducted High-Level Meetings (HLM) and ICG ship visits, guided by the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Fostering Bilateral Relationships in West Asia

The overseas deployment of ICG ships aligns with the organization’s plan to foster bilateral relationships and strengthen international cooperation with Foreign Friendly Countries (FFCs). These relationships, developed over the years, aim to ensure the safety, security, and cleanliness of the seas in the region while addressing contemporary maritime issues. The visit underscores India’s ongoing efforts to foster friendly relations through maritime cooperation, aligning with the maritime vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, known as “SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region,” with due emphasis on the “Global South.”

About ICGS Sajag

ICGS Sajag is part of the Indian Coast Guard fleet of OPVs, based on the West Coast of India in Porbandar, Gujarat, and operates under the operational command of Commander Coast Guard Region (North West).

The ship is equipped with modern weapon systems, sensors, state-of-the-art navigation and communication systems, including an integral helicopter to support both surface and air operations.

Sajag has undertaken various Coast Guard operations, including Coastal Security and IMBL / EEZ surveillance, anti-transnational crimes, and Maritime SAR and Pollution Response operations in the past.

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