The maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise culminated successfully at Sri Vijaya Puram on 03 Nov 2026, following a series of engagements and coordinated maritime activities conducted from 30 Oct to 03 Nov 2026 under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India’s only Operational Quad Service Command, headed by VAdm Vineet McCarty, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command.
The exercise witnessed the participation of naval ships from BIMSTEC member states: Indian Naval Ships INS Taragiri, INS Karmuk and INS Saryu; Myanmar Navy Ship UMS King Aung Zeya; and Sri Lanka Navy Ship SLNS Gajabahu. The event marks a significant milestone in advancing regional maritime collaboration and collective security.
The exercise brought together senior dignitaries and distinguished representatives, including HE Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General, BIMSTEC; VAdm Biswajit Dasgupta (Retd), National Maritime Security Coordinator; RAdm Kyaw Kyaw Htoo, Commander, Central Naval Command, Myanmar Navy; Air Vice Marshal MDR Prasad (Retd.), Director (Monitoring and Evaluation), Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, Sri Lanka; and Capt Mohammad Monzurul Islam, Commanding Officer, BNS Prottoy, Bangladesh. Their participation underscored the importance accorded to strengthening regional maritime cooperation and collective security.
Conducted in the spirit of the Delhi Declaration and in furtherance of the outcomes of the 4th BIMSTEC Experts Group Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation held in Nov 2025, the exercise provided a valuable platform for participating navies to enhance interoperability, strengthen professional interactions and foster mutual understanding through collaborative maritime engagements.
The harbour phase at Sri Vijaya Puram featured high-level engagements, professional interactions and cultural exchanges, providing opportunities for participating delegations to deepen institutional ties and strengthen bonds of friendship. The subsequent sea phase, conducted off Sri Vijaya Puram from 02 to 03 Nov 2026, involved coordinated maritime deployments and collaborative operational activities, underscoring the collective commitment of BIMSTEC member states towards a secure and stable maritime environment.
Beyond operational cooperation, the exercise fostered enduring camaraderie among participating personnel and reinforced the shared vision of a prosperous, resilient and open Bay of Bengal. It showcased the collective resolve of BIMSTEC nations to address common maritime challenges and safeguard shared maritime interests through sustained cooperation.
The successful culmination of the maiden exercise marks an important step towards institutionalising greater maritime engagement among BIMSTEC member states. For the Andaman and Nicobar Command, hosting this landmark event reaffirms its pivotal role in promoting regional maritime cooperation and contributing to peace, security and stability across the Bay of Bengal region. The exercise also lays a strong foundation for future collaborative initiatives under the BIMSTEC framework.
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