Indian Coast Guard (ICG) delegation, led by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, AVSM, PTM, TM, is representing India at the 21st Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) being held in Sydney, Australia, from October 13–15, 2025. The event is hosted by the Australian Border Force (ABF).
HACGAM serves as a premier regional platform comprising 21 member countries, one region (Hong Kong), and two associate members—UNODC and ReCAAP—focused on advancing cooperation in maritime safety, security, law enforcement, and environmental protection.
Chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) Pillar, and an active participant in working groups on Environmental Protection, Prevention of Unlawful Activities at Sea, Information Sharing, and Joint Exercises, India continues to contribute significantly to fostering collaborative regional mechanisms.
HACGAM traces its origins to the 1999 MV Alondra Rainbow piracy incident, successfully resolved by the Indian Coast Guard, which led to the recognition of the need for a coordinated regional response. The first meeting was convened by the Japan Coast Guard in 2004, marking the beginning of institutionalised cooperation among Asian maritime enforcement agencies.
HACGAM has become a vital platform for enhancing coordination in search and rescue operations, combating transnational maritime crimes, countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and strengthening marine environmental protection.
During the Sydney meeting, the ICG delegation is sharing India’s expertise in maritime security operations, disaster response, and environmental protection, while exploring new areas of collaboration in joint training and operational coordination.
Delegation also held a bilateral meeting with the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Thai-MECC) to discuss contemporary maritime challenges and opportunities for cooperation.
India’s participation at HACGAM 2025 underscores its steadfast commitment to the Indo-Pacific Maritime Vision, reaffirming its dedication to a safe, secure, and sustainable maritime domain in the region.
