8th Indo-Myanmar coordinated Navy patrol begins

Navy ships from Myanmar reached Port Blair to attend the opening ceremony of the 8th Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) which will be held from May 20-28.

"Myanmar Navy Ship UMS King TabinShweHtee (773) and UMS Inlay (OPV-54) have arrived at Port Blair on May 20 for the 'Opening Ceremony' of the 8th Indo-Myanmar coordinated patrol (IMCOR), at Andaman and Nicobar Command. The Myanmar delegation led by Commodore Htein Win, Commander, Ayeyarwady Naval Command, called on Cmde Ashutosh Ridhorkar, VSM, Naval Component Commander on May 20," a press release by the Ministry of Defense read.

Myanmar ships UMS King TabinShweHtee and UMS Inlay would undertake a coordinated patrol (CORPAT) with Indian Naval Ship Saryu under the program.

The ships will patrol along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between the two countries covering a distance of roughly 725 kilometres in four days, augmented by patrol aircraft from both navies.

"The ships will also undertake joint manoeuvres and drills during the sea phase of CORPAT prior to the 'Closing Ceremony' of the CORPAT onboard Myanmar Naval Ship," it went on to add.

CORPAT, first held in March 2013, has enhanced the mutual understanding and fostered improved professional interaction between the two navies for maritime interoperability.

The statement also mentioned the importance of CORPAT in eliminating threats of terrorism, drug trafficking and other illegal activities which harm the interests of both nations.

"CORPAT initiative between the two navies is meant to address issues of terrorism, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, poaching and other illegal activities inimical to the interest of both nations," the statement said.