International Cooperation

INHD actively supports friendly foreign nations through hydrographic training programmes, technical collaboration and MoUs. in alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of MAHASAGAR. The Department facilitates overseas joint hydrographic surveys and regional capacity building initiatives. By prioritising collective responsibility and shared prosperity, INHD plays a pivotal role in strengthening hydrographic cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region, ensuring a safe, secure and sustainable maritime environment for all stakeholders.

INHD is also actively involved in various IHO committees as represented.

INHD also plays a significant role in various IHO Working Groups as shown.   

India is one of the founding members of North Indian Ocean Hydrographic Commission (NIOHC) and associate member of Southern African and Islands Hydrographic Commission (SAIHC).

India is also an active member of International Cartographic Association with an aim to promote the disciplines and professions of Cartography and GIS sciences in an International context.

India has strong bilateral ties with countries of the Indian Ocean, African and East Asian countries some of which include Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Maldives, Mozambique, Vietnam, Myanmar, Kenya and Sri-Lanka. Formal memorandum of understanding has been signed with many of these countries. INHD has undertaken numerous joint surveys in foreign waters for the benefit of the respective coastal states. These efforts have led to the production of 70 charts and ENCs in the International waters. The list of these charts is available at the catalogue uploaded at this website.  

The National Institute of Hydrography which functions under INHD, is recognized as the Regional Training Centre in Hydrography for the countries  of  the  Indian  Ocean  Region.  Personnel from 39 countries have been trained from across the globe. NIH is one of the few Institutes around the world which is recognised by IHO to provide CAT ‘A’ and CAT ‘B’ certification in Hydrography to Indian and Foreign trainees. The Institute has state-of-art training facilities to offer to the international students. INHD also conducts various tailor made courses for International students like ENC and Paper Chart Production. Further, a hydrographic training team has been set up in Mauritius with Joint efforts from Indian Hydrographers and Mauritian surveyors. India is the NAVAREA VIII coordinator for Maritime Safety Information Services and coordinates dissemination of navigational warnings to the mariners in this region. India is also the region J coordinator for INT Charts. India has supported and facilitated the publication of INT chart series for the benefit of various states falling in this region.