An offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Coast Guard, ICG ship Sarthak, entered Chabahar Port in the Islamic Republic of Iran on Tuesday for a four-day visit lasting until December 19. Strategically located, Chabahar is a deep-water port that provides India with a direct maritime gateway to Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. According to the Ministry of Defence, this marks the first-ever visit by an Indian Coast Guard vessel to Chabahar and underlines India’s expanding maritime engagement in the region, as well as its capacity to support secure supply lines to Afghanistan and Central Asia. The visit aligns with India’s SAGAR and MAHASAGAR vision of fostering secure, cooperative and inclusive maritime partnerships. During the port call, ICG ship Sarthak will undertake a series of professional and community-oriented engagements with the Iranian Navy and other Iranian maritime agencies. These include courtesy calls and professional interactions aimed at strengthening institutional linkages and enhancing cooperation in maritime safety and security. Key activities include joint training in maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement and marine pollution response. A marine pollution response demonstration in Chabahar harbour, focusing on oil spills and hazardous and noxious substance incidents, will highlight coordinated response mechanisms. In addition, MRCC-to-MRCC coordination drills, a table-top exercise, and joint visit, board, search and seizure drills are planned to improve interoperability and operational preparedness. Alongside professional exchanges, the visit will feature sports events and a beach walkathon involving embarked National Cadet Corps cadets. These activities support the national Puneet Sagar Abhiyan, which promotes marine environmental awareness and coastal cleanliness. The Chabahar visit follows the ship’s earlier port call in Kuwait, where Sarthak engaged with the Kuwait Coast Guard, reflecting the Indian Coast Guard’s growing footprint and constructive engagement with regional maritime partners. The four-day visit underscores India’s commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation, promoting a rules-based maritime order, and contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development across the wider Indian Ocean Region and the Gulf.