Admiral Tripathi meets Myanmar naval leadership, discusses steps to boost cooperation, defence partnership

Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met Myanmar Navy's Central Naval Command commander Rear Admiral Aung Aung Naing and Naval Training Command chief Rear Admiral Khun Aung Kyaw in Yangon on Sunday and discussed strengthening navy-to-navy cooperation, bolstering the existing defence partnership and augmenting operational engagements, Navy said in a statement on Sunday.

Admiral Tripathi is on an official visit to Myanmar from May 2-5.

“Aspects related to enhancing training cooperation & future avenues of collaboration were deliberated upon, emphasising the commitment to enhancing interoperability and training exchange programmes,” the statement said.

At Naval Training Command, Admiral Tripathi was briefed on Myanmar Navy's training infrastructure and ongoing initiatives between the two navies, including the effectiveness of the mobile training team.

The Navy chief formally handed over various equipment built with Indian govt’s assistance, including containerised small arms simulator and rigid inflatable boat, for greater maritime security in Bay of Bengal region, in keeping with the vision of Mahasagar.

During his visit, the Indian Navy chief will also lay a wreath at Myanmar Armed Forces Fallen Heroes' War Memorial.

“The Indian Navy regularly interacts with the Myanmar Navy through defence cooperation meeting, staff talks, training exchanges and operational interactions, including India-Myanmar Naval Exercise (IMNEX), Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR), port visits and Hydrography surveys,” the ministry of defence said in a statement.

Myanmar is one of India's key strategic neighbours and it shares a 1,640-kilometer-long border with several northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

The country is considered crucial under India's 'Neighbourhood First', 'Act East' and 'MAHASAGAR' (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) policies.

As part of the ongoing visit to Myanmar, Admiral Tripathi embarked on Myanmar Navy's Frigate UMS Kyan Sit Thar (F12), on May 2, the Indian Navy said on social media.

He was received onboard the ship by Captain Kyaw Thet Naing, the No.1 Fleet Commander with a ceremonial Guard of Honour.

Navies of India and Myanmar regularly participate in training exchanges, multilateral forums and collaborate towards capability enhancement.

Myanmar has participated in all recent events conducted by the Indian Navy, such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, MILAN, International Fleet Review, Goa Maritime Conclave/ Symposium, IOS SAGAR and the Admiral's Cup, according to the statement.