New Delhi:

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Hari Kumar on Monday held a meeting with visiting Thai Navy Admiral Adong Phan-Yang to discuss measures to further strengthen inter-naval cooperation.

The two sides also discussed the current situation in the Indian Ocean region, focusing on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden issues and the need to work together to ensure peace, stability and maritime security.

Admiral Adong Panyan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, will pay an official visit to India from April 1 to 3.

An Indian Navy spokesperson said in a post on The Chancellors discussed measures to further strengthen inter-naval cooperation, including operational, strategic and related issues. Also discussed the current situation at the #IOR, focusing on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and joint efforts to ensure peace, stability and #maritimesecurity Necessity. Thoughtful.”

According to a Ministry of Defense press release, the discussions between Admiral Hari Kumar and Admiral Adong Panyan focused on issues such as mutual cooperation in the maritime domain, training exchange programs and information sharing.

Earlier in the day, Admiral Adong Panyan laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. The Indian Navy dispatched a guard of honor in the southern zone to welcome him as usual.

The Ministry of External Affairs said his visit to India was a testament to the strong “bilateral relations and enduring friendship” between the Indian and Thai navies.

He is also scheduled to meet with the Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Secretary of Defense and National Maritime Security Coordinator.

“In a bid to further deepen defense cooperation between the two countries, General Adun Panyam is scheduled to meet officials from the Ministry of Defense Industries and Defense Production of India in New Delhi,” the MEA press release said.

“Subsequently, an interactive meeting is also planned with officials from the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau to explore current shipbuilding trends and identify future opportunities, including the scope of maintenance and repair of Indian ships,” the statement added.

The Indian and Thai navies have held regular coordinated patrols every two years since 2005, and the first IN-RTN bilateral exercise “Ex-Ayutthaya” was held on December 23 last year.

Recently, a Royal Thai Navy ship, HTMS Prachup Kheri Khan, participated in MILAN 24 in Visakhapatnam in February 2024. The two navies are also active members of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

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