VISIT BY ADMIRAL ADOONG PAN-IAM COMMANDR-IN-CHIEF ROYAL THAI NAVY

Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam, Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Navy on an official visit to India from 01 - 03 Apr 2024, interacted with Adm R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, at New Delhi on 01 Apr 24. Discussions were centred around issues of mutual cooperation in the maritime domain, training exchange programmes and information sharing.

Earlier today, Adm Adoong Pan-Iam laid a ceremonial wreath at the National War Memorial and was thereafter welcomed with the customary Guard of Honour presented by the Indian Navyat the South Block, New Delhi. He is also scheduled to call on Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of the Air Staff, Defence Secretary, and the National Maritime Security Co-ordinator.

To further deepen Defence Cooperation between both countries, Adm Adoong Pan-Iam is scheduled to meet officials of the Indian Defence Industries and the Department of Defence Production at New Delhi. Following this, an interactive session with Indian Navy Officials from the Warship Design Bureau is also planned to explore current trends in ship building and identify future opportunities, including scope of ship maintenance and repairs in India.

Both navies have been conducting regular Coordinated Patrols on biannual basis since 2005, and the maiden IN-RTN Bilateral Exercise, viz., Ex- Ayutthaya was held in Dec 23 last year. More recently, one Royal Thai Navy Ship HTMS Prachup Kheri Khanparticipated in MILAN 24 held in February 2024 in Visakhapatnam. Both navies are also active member of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Visit of the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy to India is a testimony of strong bilateral relations and lasting friendship between both navies.

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VM/SKS 70/24