The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), will be participating in a joint exercise to bolster bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and India.

• The USCG Ship Bertholf arrived at Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The joint exercise is codenamed “Sea Defenders-2024” and is scheduled to take place on 9-10th March 2024. 
• The exercise is aimed at enhancing readiness and coordination between the Coast Guards by simulating scenarios relevant to maritime piracy and asymmetric threats, including simulated drone attacks on commercial merchant traffic, joint maritime search and rescue operations, major firefighting, marine pollution response, and counter-drug interdiction exercises, stated the Ministry.