**Executive Summary**
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Sarthak arrived at Suwaikh Port in Kuwait on December 09, 2025, as part of its Overseas Deployment (OSD) to the Gulf region. This visit aims to strengthen maritime linkages, reflecting India's commitment to regional cooperation under the SAGAR vision. The deployment follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation between India and Kuwait in December 2024. After the Kuwait visit, the Ship will continue its OSD with planned port calls to Iran and Saudi Arabia.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose and Context:**
* ICG Ship Sarthak's arrival in Kuwait marks a new chapter in India-Kuwait maritime engagement.
* The visit is part of the Ship's Overseas Deployment (OSD) to the Gulf region.
* It reflects India's commitment to regional cooperation under the SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
* The visit reinforces the India-Kuwait Strategic Partnership, which was solidified by the signing of an MoU on Defence Cooperation in December 2024.
* **Activities During Visit:**
* The Ship's crew will engage in professional interactions with the Kuwait Coast Guard and maritime stakeholders during the four-day stay.
* Planned activities include courtesy calls on senior leadership.
* Familiarization visits to key maritime facilities will take place.
* Joint training activities will focus on marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement.
* Cultural and sports exchanges, including yoga sessions and friendly matches, are planned to deepen interpersonal bonding.
* **Strategic Goals:**
* The visit aims to strengthen existing maritime linkages and reinforce India's role as a reliable partner in ensuring safe, secure, and clean seas.
* The deployment demonstrates the commitment of both sides to building stronger operational synergy, enhancing interoperability, and promoting a safe maritime domain in the Gulf.
* After the Kuwait visit, the ship will visit Iran and Saudi Arabia.
**Impact Analysis**
**Kuwait Coast Guard and Maritime Stakeholders**
* **Impact**: Collaboration and knowledge exchange opportunities.
* **Action Required**: Engage in scheduled professional interactions, including joint training activities and familiarization visits.
**India and Kuwait**
* **Impact**: Strengthened bilateral ties and enhanced maritime security cooperation. Reinforcement of the India-Kuwait Strategic Partnership.
* **Action Required**: Continue implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation to expand defense and maritime collaboration.
**India**
* **Impact**: Reinforces India's role as a reliable partner in ensuring safe, secure and clean seas, and demonstrates commitment to regional cooperation under the SAGAR vision. Strengthen maritime cooperation across West Asia.
* **Action Required**: Strengthen maritime cooperation across West Asia and advance regional stability, capacity building and collaborative maritime governance.
Key Entities Referenced
ICG Ship Sarthak: Indian Coast Guard ship, part of Overseas Deployment (OSD) to Gulf countries.
Kuwait: Location of Suwaikh Port, where ICG Ship Sarthak arrived.
SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): India's vision for regional cooperation.
Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation: Agreement between India and Kuwait, signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Kuwait, paving the way for defence and maritime collaboration.
Ministry of Defence: The ministry responsible for the deployment of the ICG Ship Sarthak
Ministry of Defence
ICG Ship Sarthak Reaches Suwaikh Port in
Kuwait
The Ship is on Overseas Deployment to Gulf Countries
प्रव तथ: 09 DEC 2025 7:31PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Sarthak, an indigenously designed and built Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV),
arrived at Suwaikh Port in Kuwait on December 09, 2025, as part of its Overseas Deployment (OSD) to
the Gulf region. This maiden port call signifies a new chapter in India–Kuwait maritime engagement and
reflects India’s commitment to enhancing regional cooperation under the SAGAR (Security and Growth
for All in the Region) vision. The visit aims at strengthening existing maritime linkages and reinforcing
India’s role as a reliable partner in ensuring safe, secure and clean seas.
During the four-day stay in Kuwait, the ship’s crew will undertake a series of professional interactions
with the Kuwait Coast Guard and other maritime stakeholders. The programme includes courtesy calls on
senior leadership, familiarisation visits to key maritime facilities, and joint training activities focusing on
marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement. Cultural and sports
exchanges, including joint yoga sessions and friendly matches, will further deepen interpersonal bonding
and mutual understanding between the maritime forces of both nations.
The arrival of ICG Ship Sarthak comes at a significant moment, following the signing of the
Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in December 2024 during the historic visit of the
Prime Minister of India to Kuwait. The MoU has paved the way for expanding defence and maritime
collaboration as part of the growing India–Kuwait Strategic Partnership. The ship’s visit reinforces these
shared objectives and demonstrates the commitment of both sides to building stronger operational synergy,
enhancing interoperability, and promoting a safe maritime domain in the Gulf.ICG Ship Sarthak will continue its OSD after the Kuwait visit with planned port calls to Iran and Saudi
Arabia. These engagements collectively reflect India’s comprehensive approach to strengthening maritime
cooperation across West Asia and advancing regional stability, capacity building and collaborative
maritime governance.
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SR/Ruchi
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