India's ICG Makes History with First-Ever Visit to Strategic Chabahar Port
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In a significant milestone for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the offshore patrol vessel 'Sarthak' has arrived at the strategic Chabahar port in Iran, marking the first-ever visit of an ICG ship to the port. This historic visit underscores India's growing maritime engagement in the region and its commitment to strengthening institutional linkages and enhancing mutual understanding in maritime safety and security. As part of its ongoing overseas deployment to Gulf countries, 'Sarthak' will engage in a range of activities during its port call, including joint training activities, courtesy calls, and professional interactions with the Iranian Navy and other Iranian maritime agencies. These efforts aim to promote a rules-based maritime order, contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development across the wider Indian Ocean Region and the Gulf. Key highlights of the port call include joint training activities focusing on maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and marine pollution response. A marine pollution response demonstration will be conducted to showcase coordinated response mechanisms, while MRCC-to-MRCC coordination drills, a table-top exercise, and joint Visit, Board, Search and Seizure drills will enhance interoperability and operational preparedness between the two sides. The Chabahar port, strategically located on the northern flank of the Gulf of Oman, offers India a direct maritime gateway to Iran, land-locked Afghanistan, and Central Asia, providing a shorter and geopolitically independent alternative to routes that transit Pakistan. This connectivity enables New Delhi to expand trade and transit linkages, including linkage to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) concept. The visit of 'Sarthak' to Chabahar strengthens New Delhi's ability to project economic influence, secure supply lines to Afghanistan and Central Asia, and present a competing development model in the region, consistent with India's SAGAR and MAHASAGAR vision of secure, cooperative maritime engagements. In addition to professional engagements, the visit will feature sports fixtures and a beach walkathon, with the participation of embarked National Cadet Corps cadets, aligning with the national Puneet Sagar Abhiyan to promote marine environmental awareness and coastal cleanliness. This historic visit reflects India's commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation and promoting a rules-based maritime order, while contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development across the wider Indian Ocean Region and the Gulf.
