The BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise began on 30 Oct 2026, marking a significant step towards regional security and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal.
The inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise, taking place from 30 Oct to 03 Nov 2026, represents a key development in bolstering maritime cooperation among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. This exercise emphasizes the collective determination of these nations towards regional security, stability, and prosperity within the Bay of Bengal. The event is based on the outcomes of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit under the theme ‘BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open’. This exercise serves as a practical tool to enhance maritime collaboration and operational connections among participating countries. It underscores BIMSTEC’s resolve to advance cooperation in shared maritime interests and fortify regional security mechanisms by ‘Translating Vision to Action’. The Bay of Bengal plays a crucial role in connecting South and South-East Asia, supporting trade, connectivity, energy security, and economic growth. The exercise aims to improve interoperability, strengthen maritime domain awareness, boost coordination mechanisms, and promote information exchange among BIMSTEC member states. Additionally, the strategic importance of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)—India’s first integrated tri-service command—is highlighted in the exercise due to its location on critical sea lanes of communication and its capabilities in maritime surveillance, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, search and rescue, and regional engagement.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
