35th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT)

Indo-Thai CORPAT: India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) is a bi-annual naval exercise conducted to strengthen maritime connections between India and Thailand. Indo-Thai CORPAT 2023 is also important for UPSC Prelims Exam 2023 and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2-International Relations, Bilateral Relations between India and Thailand).

Indo-Thai CORPAT 2023 in News

Recently, the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy carried out the 35th edition of the Indo-Thai CORPAT (India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol).

Indo-Thai CORPAT 2023 Details

During the Indo-Thai CORPAT held from May 3 to May 10, 2023, the Indian Navy’s INS Kesari, which is a domestically produced Landing Ship Tank (Large), and the Royal Thai Navy’s HTMS Saiburi, a frigate from the Chao Phraya class, participated in the exercise. Additionally, Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies were also involved in patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Andaman Sea.

• Background: The Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy have been conducting CORPAT twice a year along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) since 2005.
• Mandate: The objective of the bi-annual Indo-Thai CORPAT is to strengthen maritime connections between India and Thailand and ensure the safety and security of international trade in this crucial part of the Indian Ocean.

Indo-Thai CORPAT 2023 Significance

The CORPAT plays a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding and interoperability between the two navies, while also enabling the implementation of measures to prevent and combat unlawful activities such as piracy, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

• The Indo-Thai CORPAT exercise also promotes the sharing of information to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling, and to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations effectively in the maritime domain.
• The 35th Indo-Thai CORPAT signifies the Indian Navy’s continuous efforts to strengthen interoperability and foster amicable relations between India and Thailand.

India’s SAGAR Vision

The Indian Navy has been actively pursuing the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) through its engagement with the countries in the Indian Ocean Region to enhance regional maritime security.

• This has been accomplished through various initiatives such as bilateral and multilateral exercises, Coordinated Patrols, Joint EEZ Surveillance, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
• Over the years, the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy have developed a close and amicable relationship through various activities and interactions, which have helped strengthen the bond between the two navies.

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