New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) Indian and Thai navies are conducting a coordinated patrol in the Andaman Sea to strengthen interoperability and prevent unlawful activities, said an official statement on Saturday.
The two navies have been carrying out coordinated patrols (CORPATs) along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) twice a year since 2005, it said.
The ongoing coordinated patrol is the 22nd of the series and started on April 19.
The Indian side is using indigenous missile corvette INS Karmuk and a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft in the exercise which is aimed at "keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade."
"Maritime interaction between India and Thailand has been growing steadily with frequent port visits, participation in multilateral exercises and training exchanges," the statement said.
The CORPAT has strengthened understanding and interoperability between the navies and facilitated institution of measures to prevent unlawful activities at sea as well as conduct search and rescue operations, it said.
A closing ceremony will be held at Port Blair from April 25 to 27.
