India-Pakistan maritime security MoU extended

An MoU between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) has been extended by mutual consent for a period of five more years from March 17 this year, the external affairs ministry said on Friday.

A ministry statement said that the MoU, signed on October 3, 2005, had come into effect on March 16, 2006.

"It envisaged cooperation between ICG and PMSA through exchange of information on EEZ violations, apprehended vessels, marine pollution, natural disasters/calamities, combating smuggling, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and piracy, and coordination in search and rescue and return sea passage.

"It also established a communication link which is operational. Under the provisions of the MoU, the directors general of ICG and PMSA meet periodically," it said.