Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, is on a three-day official visit to India from April 1 to April 3, 2024, to strengthen the already strong relationship and goodwill between the Indian and Thai navies. The visit reflects the long-standing connection and commitment to promoting a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region via increased cooperation and partnership.
Admiral Pan-Iam paid his homage at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, honouring the sacrifices made by the courageous troops who fought for their countries’ security and independence. He was felicitated with a Guard of Honour by the Indian Navy at the South Block, New Delhi
During his discussions with Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, the admirals dwelt on methods to improve maritime cooperation, training exchange programs, and information sharing. These cooperation initiatives are likely to greatly contribute to the overall security and stability of the Indian Ocean area, where both countries have critical interests.
During his visit, Admiral Pan-Iam planned to meet with other top Indian defence leaders, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Defence Secretary, and National Maritime Security Coordinator. These meetings seek to promote India and Thailand’s bilateral defence cooperation by building a better understanding of each other’s strategic goals and regional issues.
Admiral Pan-Iam interact with the leadership of Indian Defence Industries and the Department of Defence Production to strengthen defence cooperation. The purpose of this engagement is to look into potential collaborations in shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair. In addition, an interactive session with Indian Navy officers from the Warship Design Bureau was planned to examine current shipbuilding trends and explore future potential for collaborative ventures and technical improvement.
The fact that both militaries are involved in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) strengthens their cooperation in preserving the security and stability of the regional marine environment.
About Ex Ayutthaya
The Indian and Royal Thai Navies have been collaborating since 2005, and conduct coordinated patrols twice, annually. Their cooperation reached a new milestone in December 2023 with the first-ever bilateral exercise, Ex-Ayutthaya. The exercise enhanced interoperability and sharing of best practices. The Indian Navy ships Kulish and IN LCU 56, along with the Royal Thai Navy’s HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan, participated in the exercise, which coincided with the 36th India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT). Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies had taken part in the Sea Phase of the exercise.
The Indian Navy’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision has driven increased engagement with countries in the Indian Ocean Region, aiming to enhance maritime security. The close relationship between the Indian and Royal Thai Navies have also been strengthened by such activities as the Royal Thai Navy Ship HTMS Prachup Kheri Khan’s participation in Exercise MILAN 24, a naval drill held near Visakhapatnam, India in February 2024.
Team Bharatshakti
