TFP Bureau, New Delhi; April 2, 2024 – Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, embarked on an official visit to India from April 1 to April 3, 2024, aimed at bolstering maritime cooperation and fostering strategic ties between the two nations. During his visit, Admiral Pan-Iam engaged in crucial discussions with Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, focusing on mutual cooperation in the maritime domain, training exchange programs, and information sharing.
The visit commenced with Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam paying tribute to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial, where he laid a ceremonial wreath. He was then accorded a warm welcome by the Indian Navy with a customary Guard of Honour at the South Block, New Delhi.
In addition to meeting with Admiral Kumar, Admiral Pan-Iam is scheduled to hold discussions with key defense stakeholders, including the Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of the Air Staff, Defence Secretary, and the National Maritime Security Coordinator, to explore avenues for enhanced collaboration in defense and security domains.
To deepen defense cooperation, Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam will meet with officials from the Indian Defense Industries and the Department of Defence Production in New Delhi. An interactive session with Indian Navy officials from the Warship Design Bureau is also on the agenda to delve into shipbuilding trends and identify opportunities for collaboration in ship maintenance and repairs.
The visit holds significance as both navies have a history of close collaboration, marked by regular Coordinated Patrols since 2005 and the inaugural IN-RTN Bilateral Exercise, Ex-Ayutthaya, held in December 2023. Recently, the Royal Thai Navy Ship HTMS Prachup Kheri Khan participated in MILAN 2024, further solidifying maritime cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, both navies actively participate in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Admiral Adoong Pan-Iam’s visit underscores the enduring friendship and strong bilateral relations shared between the Royal Thai Navy and the Indian Navy, highlighting their commitment to regional stability and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
