A week-long coordinated patrol between the navies of India and Thailand conducted in Andaman culminated on Friday, the Army said in a statement.

The two armies are also scheduled to hold joint military exercise in September under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grouping. The multi-nation drill involving the armies of India, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan will take place in Pune.

The Royal Thailand Navy and the Indian Navy have been participating in the Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) twice a year since 2005 to keep this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade. The exercise commenced on June 16.

The Andaman Sea and adjoining Malacca Straits is one of the important Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC).

The Royal Thailand Naval Ship HTMS Longlom arrived yesterday at Haddo Wharf, Port Blair to mark the culmination of the 26th series of India -Thailand Coordinated Patrol. A Thai naval Dornier aircraft flew in a high-level Thai Naval delegation led by Vice Admiral SonukPreampramot, Commander Third Naval Area Commander of the Thai Navy to INS Utkrosh, Port Blair.

Sonu Preampramot also called on Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, the Commander-in-Chief the Andaman and Nicobar Command yesterday.

Apart from securing the trade sea route, the coordinated patrol also serves to enhance mutual understanding and inter-operability between the two navies. "The CORPAT thus reflects the shared concerns between the two countries for a peaceful Indian Ocean for the benefit of international community," the Navy said in a statement.

During the stay at Port Blair professional interactions, sports fixtures, ship visits, and visits to places of historical and tourist interests were also planned. PTI

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Saturday, 23 June 2018 | PTI | New Delhi