The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) held their 1st Annual Bilateral Meeting on 02 Dec 2025 in Manila, Philippines, under the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 22 August 2023. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), Maritime Law Enforcement, Marine Pollution Response, and Capacity Building.
The meeting was co-chaired by Additional Director General Donny Michael, PTM, TM, Coast Guard Commander (Eastern Seaboard) and Vice Admiral EDGAR L. YBANEZ, Deputy Commandant for Operations, Philippine Coast Guard. Both sides reviewed recent ship visits, professional exchanges, and Coast Guard to Coast Guard cooperative activities, while agreeing to further strengthen joint initiatives aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational coordination.
The engagement aligns closely with India’s Act East Policy, as well as India’s regional maritime initiatives—Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)—which collectively promote a safe, secure, and stable maritime environment. Enhanced cooperation between the ICG and PCG is an important component of the broader India–Philippines strategic partnership, contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable maritime governance in the Indo-Pacific.
Reaffirming their commitment to regular institutional interactions, training programmes, exchange of best practices, and ship visits, both Coast Guards emphasized that such engagements build mutual trust and promote operational synergy. The meeting reflected the shared resolve of India and the Philippines to work together in a spirit of friendship and cooperation to ensure regional maritime security, safety, and environmental sustainability.
