A delegation from Japan’s Joint Staff College visited the Indian Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Sujeet in Mumbai on June 12, marking a significant step in strengthening maritime collaboration between Japan and India. The visit included an interactive session in which faculty members and student officers from Japan received a comprehensive briefing on the structure, operational responsibilities, and strategic initiatives of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
During their visit, the Japanese delegation toured the indigenously constructed vessel, Sujeet, which was commissioned in May 2020 by Goa Shipyard Limited. The OPV is equipped with advanced systems such as an Integrated Bridge System and Integrated Platform Management System, alongside high-capacity external firefighting equipment. Designed for versatility, the Sujeet can accommodate a twin-engine helicopter, four high-speed boats, and two inflatable boats, enabling it to undertake various missions, including search-and-rescue operations and maritime patrols.
This visit occurs against the backdrop of increasing regional cooperation within the Quad grouping, which includes India, Japan, Australia, and the United States. During their upcoming September 2024 summit, the Quad announced plans for joint Coast Guard patrols in the Indo-Pacific region, scheduled for 2025. This initiative is aimed at enhancing interoperability and improving maritime domain awareness amid escalating regional tensions, particularly concerning China.
The OPV Sujeet is currently stationed in Goa and is pivotal for monitoring India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is part of a growing fleet of the Indian Coast Guard, which includes 155 ships and 62 aircraft, with 35 more vessels under construction as part of ongoing modernization efforts.
The visit emphasizes the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan, reflecting their mutual commitment to maritime safety and a free and open Indo-Pacific region. This development also underscores the global imperative for maritime governance, as underscored by a recent report from the International Maritime Organization indicating a 15% increase in maritime incidents in 2023. This rising trend brings to light the pressing need for enhanced international cooperation in maritime security.
