India is hosting the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The exercise commenced on October 30 and is scheduled to continue until November 3, 2026.
The exercise brings together BIMSTEC member countries — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand — to strengthen regional maritime cooperation and improve operational coordination.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
India is hosting the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise.
The exercise is taking place in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
It commenced on October 30 and is scheduled to continue until November 3, 2026.
All seven BIMSTEC member countries are represented.
The exercise includes Harbour and Sea phases.
Its focus is on maritime cooperation and operational interoperability.
The programme includes Harbour and Sea phases, providing opportunities for professional exchanges, operational planning and coordinated maritime activities among participating forces.
The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the exercise translates the shared vision of BIMSTEC leaders into action by reinforcing maritime cooperation, enhancing operational coordination and interoperability, and contributing towards a safe, secure and stable maritime environment in the Bay of Bengal.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The Bay of Bengal is an important maritime region connecting South and Southeast Asia. Cooperation among BIMSTEC countries is important for addressing shared maritime security challenges, improving regional coordination and maintaining stability in the region.
