• The Indian and Thai navies kicked off a three-day Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) on June 9 in the Andaman Sea in the backdrop of growing concern over China’s increasing maritime presence in the Indian Ocean region.

• The Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel INS Saryu and Thai ship Krabi along with Dornier maritime patrol aircraft from both navies are participating in the 31st edition of the CORPAT. 

• The two navies have been bi-annually undertaking CORPAT along their international maritime boundary line (IMBL) since 2005 with an aim to keep the vital part of the Indian Ocean safe and secure for global trade.

• The CORPAT builds up understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitates institution of measures to prevent and suppress unlawful activities like illegal unreported unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy. 

• It further helps enhance the operational synergy by exchange of information for prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and for conduct of search and rescue operations at sea.

• In sync with the government’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with the countries in the Indian Ocean Region towards enhancing regional maritime security. 

• The 31st Indo-Thai CORPAT will contribute towards Indian Navy’s efforts to consolidate interoperability and forge strong bonds of friendship with the Royal Thai Navy.

• The Indian Navy has been gradually expanding its presence in the Indian Ocean region in the last few years.

Other military exercises between India and Thailand:

• Exercise MAITREE (Army)

• Exercise SIAM BHARAT (Air Force).

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