New Delhi –To discuss measures for strengthening Navy-to-Navy cooperation, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar recently held a meeting with his visiting Thai counterpart Admiral Adoong Paan-Iam. Regarding the present situation in the Indian Ocean region, the two sides also held discussions with emphasis on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and the need for joint efforts towards ensuring maritime security, stability, and peace.
In a post on X, the Indian Navy Spokesperson said that Adm Adoong Pan-Iam, Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Navy on an official visit to India interacted with Adm R Hari Kumar CNS at South Block, New Delhi. Both Heads discussed measures to further strengthen Navy-to-Navy cooperation and other related issues. The present situation in the IOR with emphasis on the Red Sea & Gulf of Aden, and the need for collaborative efforts towards ensuring peace, stability & maritime security was also deliberated.
According to the Ministry of Defense press release, discussions between Admiral R Hari Kumar and Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam centered around issues of cooperation in the maritime domain, training exchange programs, and sharing information. During the day, at the National War Memorial, Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam laid a ceremonial wreath. He was welcomed by the customary Guard of Honor presented by the Indian Navy at the South Block. His visit to India is a testimony of strong mutual relations and long-term friendship between the navies of India and Thailand.
He also planned to call on the Chief of the Defense Staff, Chief of the Air Staff, Defense Secretary, and the National Maritime Security Co-Ordinator. To further expand Defense Cooperation between both countries, Adm Adoong Pan-Iam is supposed to meet officials of the Indian Defense Industries and the Department of Defense Production in New Delhi. Following this, an interactive session with Indian Navy Officials from the Warship Design Bureau is also planned to explore current trends in shipbuilding and recognize future opportunities, including the scope of ship repairs and maintenance in India.
Since 2005, the navies of India and Thailand have been doing often Coordinated Patrols on a biannual basis and the maiden IN-RTN bilateral Exercise, viz, Ex- Ayutthaya was held last year on the 23rd of December. Recently, one Royal Thai Navy ship, MILAN 24 which was held in February 2024 in Visakhapatnam, HTMA Prachup Kheri Khan participated. The two navies are also active members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
