“Hotline between Coast Guards of India and Pakistan working well”

Arrest of anglers by Pakistan and India when they stray into each other’s waters is fast becoming outdated with the establishment of a “hotline” between the Coast Guard and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency.

“Now, if an Indian fishing boat enters Pakistan waters, they call us to shepherd it back to our side instead of arresting the fishermen and we must have received about a dozen such calls in the past three months,” said Commander, Coast Guard Region (West), Inspector-General A. Rajasekhar. The direct communication facilitates discussions between the two countries’ coast guards and the Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi, Mr. Rajasekhar said. The exercise, held to mark the Coast Guard Day that falls on February 1, saw several patrol vessels, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft displaying their skills. Mr. Rajasekhar said it might not have always been the case that Indian fishing boats inadvertently crossed into the Pakistani side. They could have been lured by better catch. “The boats, fitted with GPS and other communication systems cannot be so mistaken.” The Indian fishing boat fleet was much larger than that of Pakistan. Therefore, the incidence of their involvement was comparatively much higher. Though the hotline idea was mooted over two years ago, it started working only last November. Both sides were now talking in terms of mutual aid in joint search, rescue, and even pollution control.
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