Australia and India have strengthened maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region through a joint Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop and Tabletop Exercise held in Chennai.
The three-day exercise, conducted from 17–19 June 2026 at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Chennai, brought together search and rescue professionals from Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member states, including representatives from the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
Australia, as Chair of the IORA Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security (WGMSS), partnered with India to deliver the programme, which was facilitated by the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS).
The workshop focused on strengthening regional capability, improving interoperability and enhancing coordination during maritime emergencies. Participants took part in expert-led discussions, practical sessions and a tabletop exercise simulating real-world search and rescue scenarios.
The programme covered international SAR frameworks, including obligations under the 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue and relevant aviation search and rescue standards, while providing early-career SAR officials with practical experience in emergency response coordination.
Deputy Consul General Cameron Noble opened the workshop, with Consul General Silai Zaki and Bruce Soar, Assistant Secretary of the Indian Ocean and South Asia Maritime Branch, highlighting Australia’s commitment to maritime safety and regional cooperation.
The exercise also supported stronger professional networks among SAR practitioners across the Indian Ocean, enabling participants to share operational experiences and best practices.
Through joint training and collaboration, Australia and India are working to build safer maritime environments and strengthen collective responses to emergencies across the Indian Ocean region.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
