Indian NDC delegation visits Royal Thai Marine Corps HQ, discusses bilateral naval engagements
Bangkok, June 6
A delegation from India's National Defence College visited the Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters and held discussions with the Royal Thai Navy on bilateral naval engagements, the Embassy of India in Bangkok said on Saturday.
"The NDC delegation from India visited Sattahip Naval Port, HTMS Chang, and the Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters and Museum as part of their Foreign Countries Study Tour," the Embassy wrote on X.
"The delegation toured the ship HTMS Chang and were briefed about the roles and responsibilities of these institutions. They also held productive discussions on bilateral naval engagements between the Indian and Royal Thai Navies," it added.
According to the Embassy, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at the Royal Thai Marine Corps Monument to honour the Thai Marines who laid down their lives in duty.
Earlier in the week, the delegation visited the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Headquarters in Bangkok.
The Embassy of India in Bangkok wrote on X that the delegation visited the RTAF Headquarters for a courtesy call on Air Marshal Wichain Vijiradharma, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence), as part of efforts to strengthen India-Thailand defence ties.
According to the Embassy, the delegation was warmly received and later toured the RTAF Museum as part of their Foreign Countries Study Tour.
The delegation also paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Puneet Agarwal at the Embassy of India in Bangkok.
The Embassy noted that a delegation led by Maj Gen APS Bal from the NDC India is on a study visit to Thailand and held discussions with Ambassador Puneet Agarwal.
It added that wide-ranging discussions took place on ways to further strengthen the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership through enhanced defence-sector engagement.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India-Thailand defence cooperation comprises regular joint exercises and joint maritime patrols near the international maritime boundary to counter terrorism, piracy, and smuggling. It also includes training of officers at each other's Armed Forces Training institutions, service staff talks, and exchange of visits at various levels.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While defence cooperation is important, I hope we're also investing in diplomacy and trade with Thailand. Military visits are good, but the common Indian citizen wants to see benefits like easier visas, cheaper goods, and cultural exchanges. Balance is key. 😊
It's reassuring to see India taking a proactive role in regional security. The joint patrols against piracy and smuggling are especially critical in the current geopolitical climate. This strengthens the entire Indo-Pacific framework.
Good to see the NDC study tour being so productive. But I wonder how much of this translates to real-world benefits for our fishermen in the Bay of Bengal? Maritime security is great, but they need assurance of safety while fishing near the IMBL. Let's hope these dialogues lead to practical solutions.
The historic ties between India and Thailand are rooted in shared Buddhist heritage and cultural links. Defence cooperation is a natural extension of our relationship. Visiting each other's military museums and monuments is a nice touch—it builds mutual respect beyond just strategy.
Thoda realistic rehte hain—these study tours are nice but we've been doing similar exchanges with other ASEAN countries for years. The real test is how quickly we can conduct joint exercises and respond to crises. Hope this visit leads to a concrete timeline for more naval drills. 💪
J We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.