PCG to enhance maritime cooperation with Indian counterpart
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan (front, left) exchanges the Term of Reference (ToR) on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation with Indian Ministry of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh (front, right) in New Delhi, India on Aug. 5, 2025 as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (back left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (back, right) witness the ceremony. (Photo: Presidential Communications Office)
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to strengthen its partnership with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) following the recent signing of a new agreement aimed at strengthening their maritime cooperation.
PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan exchanged the Terms of Reference (ToR) on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation with Indian Ministry of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh during the official visit of President Marcos Jr. in New Delhi last Aug. 5.
In a statement Saturday, Aug. 9, the PCG said the exchange of the TORs outlined the establishment of dedicated working groups to facilitate a focused cooperation on key areas such as marine environmental protection and response, maritime safety, maritime security and law enforcement, and capacity building and training.
“The signing of the ToR reaffirms the strong commitment of the PCG and ICG to uphold maritime safety, security, and environmental protection through sustained dialogue and joint efforts,” the statement read.
The PCG said each working group is designed to promote structured collaboration, with designated Points of Contact and clearly defined operational frameworks in place.
It added that the collaboration would help improve Manila’s capability to safeguard its maritime domain, ensure safe sea lanes, and respond more effectively to maritime incidents.
The exchange of the ToR occurred nearly two years after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on enhanced maritime cooperation by the two coast guard forces on Aug. 22, 2023.
The strengthened cooperation is seen as part of broader efforts by the Philippines to expand its maritime security network with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region in response to evolving threats in its surrounding waters.