The Indian and Thai navies on Wednesday commenced a three-day coordinated patrol in the Andaman Sea in the backdrop of increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean region.
INS Saryu of the Indian Navy and Thai ship Krabi along with Dornier maritime patrol aircraft from both are participating in the 31st edition of the India-Thailand coordinated patrol (CORPAT).
Since 2005, the two navies have been bi-annually carrying out CORPAT along their international maritime boundary line (IMBL). The objective of this exercise is to keep the important part of the Indian Ocean safe and secure for global trade.
“The CORPAT builds up understanding and interoperability between navies and facilities 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 the prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration, and for the conduct of search and rescue operation at sea,” Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
Indian Navy has been gradually expanding its presence in the Indian Ocean region in the last few years. Notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic, the Indian Navy participated in maritime exercises in the last few months with several countries.
