Indian Navy force visits Thailand

CHONBURI, THAILAND, June 25 (TNA) - An Indian Navy force is paying a four-day visit to Thailand, scheduled for June 24-27, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and promoting joint operations between the Indian and Thai Navies. Two warships of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, carrying the 500 naval personnel under the command of Rear Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, entered Sattahip Port in Thailand's eastern Chonburi Province on Wednesday. Rear Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh said the arrival of the INS Satpura and INS Kamorta ships represented the first-ever call in to Sattahip Port by the Indian Navy's warships, underscoring longstanding relations between the Indian and Thai Navies since 1964, particularly through their joint exercises and dialogue on maritime security. The visiting Indian commander expressed his hope that bilateral relations between the Indian and Thai Navies will further enhance for the sake of maximum safeguard of their maritime security and economic interests mutually. Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to Thailand Harsh Vardhan Shringla noted that the current visit to Thailand by the Indian Navy’s force highlights New Delhi’s Act East policy, which promotes relations between India and Southeast Asian nations, and Bangkok’s Look West policy, which gives importance to countries in South Asia. According to the Indian top envoy, Thailand is viewed as one of India’s prioritised allies in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). During their stay in Thailand, the Indian Navy's personnel are scheduled to join various activities, including meeting with Thai officers, participating in receptions, welcoming people's visits to their warships and touring many places. Apart from their ongoing visit to Thailand, the Indian Navy's officers earlier visited Singapore's port, Jakarta's port in Indonesia, Freemantle port in Australia and Sihanoukville port in Cambodia. The two Indian warships also participated in a bilateral drill, dubbed SIMBEX-15, with the Singapore Navy from May 20-26. (TNA)