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Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi held wide-ranging discussions with senior Myanmar Navy officials on Sunday, focusing on expanding bilateral maritime cooperation and strengthening defence ties.
During his visit to Yangon, Admiral Tripathi met Rear Admiral Aung Aung Naing, Commander of Myanmar Navy’s Central Naval Command, and Rear Admiral Khun Aung Kyaw, Chief of Naval Training Command. The talks centred on enhancing navy-to-navy engagement, increasing operational interactions, and building on the existing defence partnership, the Indian Navy said.
The Indian Navy chief is on a four-day official visit to Myanmar from May 2 to 5.
Both sides reviewed ongoing training cooperation and explored new avenues for collaboration, with particular emphasis on improving interoperability and expanding training exchange programmes. At the Naval Training Command, Admiral Tripathi was briefed on Myanmar Navy’s training infrastructure and ongoing joint initiatives, including the deployment and impact of Indian mobile training teams.
In a significant gesture, Admiral Tripathi handed over equipment provided under India’s assistance, including a containerised small-arms simulator and a rigid inflatable boat. The equipment is expected to enhance Myanmar’s maritime security capabilities in the Bay of Bengal, in line with India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.
As part of his engagements, Admiral Tripathi also embarked on board the Myanmar Navy’s frigate UMS Kyan Sit Thar (F12), where he was received with a ceremonial Guard of Honour by Captain Kyaw Thet Naing, the No. 1 Fleet Commander.
He is also scheduled to lay a wreath at the Myanmar Armed Forces Fallen Heroes’ War Memorial.
India and Myanmar maintain regular naval engagement through a range of mechanisms, including Defence Cooperation Meetings, staff-level talks, training exchanges and operational activities such as the India-Myanmar Naval Exercise (IMNEX) and the Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR). Port visits and hydrographic cooperation further underpin the relationship.
Myanmar remains a key strategic partner for India, sharing a 1,640-km land border with several northeastern states. The country holds particular importance in New Delhi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies, as well as its broader maritime outreach in the Indo-Pacific.
The Myanmar Navy has also been an active participant in Indian-led multilateral initiatives, including MILAN, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, International Fleet Reviews, and the Goa Maritime Conclave, reflecting the steady expansion of maritime cooperation between the two countries.
Team BharatShakti
