Port Blair, Apr 25: 22nd Cycle of INDO-THAI CORPAT between navies of India and Thailand is presently underway from 19th to 27th April 2016 in Andaman Sea.
Indian Naval Ship Karmuk and Royal Thailand Navy ship HTMS Klaeng along with Dornier aircraft from both countries are participating in the CORPAT.
“The Andaman Nicobar Command has been participating in the biannual Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) with the Royal Thai Navy for over a decade. The objectives of the INDO-THAI CORPAT are to ensure the effective implementation of ‘United Nations Conventions on Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) which specifies regulations regarding protection and conservation of natural resources of both countries, conservation of the marine environment, prevention and suppression of illegal fishing activities, drug trafficking and piracy, exchange of information in smuggling and illegal immigration, conduction of search and rescue operations at sea,” Col Yogesh Sharma, the Public Relations Officer of Andaman Nicobar Command informed media today.
The PRO added that the sea phase of the exercise took place from 20 to 24 Apr 2016 in the Andaman Sea along India-Thailand International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
“The closing ceremony of the CORPAT is being held at Port Blair from 25th to 27th Apr 16. Rear Admiral Warongkorn Osathanonda, Commander, Phang-Nga Naval Base, 3rd Naval Area Command is leading the Thai delegation. Commodore Girish Kumar Garg, the Naval Component Commander (A & N) leads the Indian delegation. The Indo – Thai CORPAT is reflective of the strong relations between the two countries and a shared desire for a peaceful Indian ocean for common good,” the PRO added.
