Coast Guard chief on visit to Myanmar to boost maritime ties

Seeking to enhance maritime co-operation with Myanmar, especially in the Bay of Bengal region, the Indian Coast Guard chief has embarked on a four-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation.
Coast Guard's Director General Vice Admiral H C S Bisht's visit commenced on January 6 and it will last till January 9.
A Indian Coast Guard ship 'Varad' also made a port call at Yangon today and it will be there until January 11.
During Bisht's visit to the neighbouring nation, both sides are expected to discuss maritime issues related to smuggling and possible joint exercises.
Myanmar shares land and sea border with India and is also an Indian Ocean littoral state.

During his visit, Bisht will meet several high-ranking officials of Myanmar Armed Forces including Senior General Ming Aung Alaing, Commander in Chief of Myanmar Defence Forces and Commander in Chief of the Myanmar Navy Vice Admiral Tin Aung San.
Bisht will also visit various training and operational facilities at Mandalay and Yangon.
'Varad' undertakes anti-smuggling, anti-poaching patrols in addition to tasks related to preservation and protection of marine environment and search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea. The ship can also carry a Chetak helicopter that enhances the surveillance, interdiction and SAR capabilities of the ship.