• The Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy conducted their maiden bilateral maritime exercise — Ex-Ayutthaya — from December 20 to 23, 2023.

• Exercise Ayutthaya translates to ‘the invincible one’ or ‘undefeatable’, and symbolises the significance of two of the oldest cities Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand, the historic legacies, rich cultural ties and shared historical narratives dating back to several centuries.

• Indigenously built Indian Naval Ships Kulish and IN LCU 56 participated in the inaugural edition of the exercise. 

• The Royal Thai Navy was represented by His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Prachuap Khiri Khan.

• The 36th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) was also conducted along with the maiden bilateral exercise. 

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

• The Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy have maintained a close and friendly relationship which has strengthened over the years. 

• The conduct of maiden bilateral exercise along with Indo-Thai CORPAT is a testimony to the growing bilateral relations between the two maritime neighbours and has enabled in enhancing interoperability between the two navies.

Other bilateral exercises with Thailand:

• Maitree - Army

• Siam Bharat - Air Force.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store