Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 31: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are hosting the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise, bringing together regional maritime partners to strengthen operational coordination, maritime domain awareness and security in the Bay of Bengal.
The Andaman and Nicobar Command welcomed Sri Lanka’s naval ship SLNS Gajabahu and Myanmar’s UMS King Aung Zeya on their arrival at Sri Vijaya Puram for the maiden exercise. Hosted by the Indian Navy, the exercise is being conducted from October 30 to November 3, 2026, according to the latest information released by the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
The exercise brings together the seven BIMSTEC member states- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand — under the theme “Translating Vision to Action”, with the objective of strengthening maritime cooperation and promoting regional security and prosperity.
The Bay of Bengal is a critical maritime space connecting South and Southeast Asia and supporting international trade, connectivity, energy security and economic growth. Cooperation among countries in the region is therefore important for maintaining a safe and stable maritime environment and addressing common security challenges.
The exercise is being conducted in two phases, a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase. The Harbour Phase focuses on professional exchanges, discussions and coordinated planning, providing participating personnel opportunities to share operational experiences and strengthen mutual understanding. The Sea Phase will focus on improving interoperability and coordination through maritime activities at sea.
The participating nations aim to strengthen maritime domain awareness, improve coordination mechanisms and exchange best practices to enable more effective responses to transnational maritime threats. The exercise also seeks to build professional relationships among regional maritime forces and enhance their capacity to work together in addressing shared concerns.
The initiative builds on the outcomes of the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, held under the theme “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open”, and seeks to translate the regional grouping’s commitments into practical cooperation at sea.
The choice of Sri Vijaya Puram as the host location highlights the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Located close to critical sea lanes connecting the Indian Ocean with Southeast Asia, the islands occupy an important position in India’s maritime security framework.
The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India’s first tri-service command integrating the Army, Navy and Air Force, plays a significant role in maritime surveillance, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and regional engagement. Its geographical position and operational capabilities make it an important component of efforts to maintain security and stability across the surrounding maritime region.
The arrival of the Sri Lankan and Myanmar naval ships marks a key development in the ongoing exercise, demonstrating the participation of regional maritime partners in the initiative. The exercise provides a platform for BIMSTEC members to strengthen operational linkages and develop coordinated approaches to maritime security.
The maiden exercise underscores the shared commitment of BIMSTEC nations to a secure, open and inclusive maritime domain. Its guiding principle, “Shared Seas, Shared Security, Shared Prosperity”, reflects the importance of regional solidarity in safeguarding maritime interests while supporting peace, stability and sustainable development across the Bay of Bengal.
