International 07 November 2026
Maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise Concludes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Why in the News?
The inaugural **BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise** successfully concluded at **Sri Vijaya Puram** in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, marking a historic milestone in enhancing regional naval interoperability and collective security across the Bay of Bengal.
Key Features / Major Points:
- Operational Command & Leadership:
- Conducted under the aegis of the **Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)**—India's sole tri-service operational command—headed by Commander-in-Chief **Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty**.
- Aligned with the spirit of the **Delhi Declaration** and recommendations of the 4th BIMSTEC Experts Group Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation.
- Participating Naval Warships:
- **India:** INS Taragiri, INS Karmuk, and INS Saryu.
- **Myanmar:** UMS King Aung Zeya.
- **Sri Lanka:** SLNS Gajabahu.
- Key Dignitaries Attending:
- BIMSTEC Secretary General **Indra Mani Pandey** and India's National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC) **Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (Retd.)** graced the high-level engagements.
- Phased Exercise Structure:
- Comprised a **Harbour Phase** at Sri Vijaya Puram (professional exchanges and institutional interactions) followed by a **Sea Phase** off Sri Vijaya Puram focusing on coordinated deployments and tactical drills.
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Static GK Facts:
- BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation):
- Formed: **June 6, 1997** (Bangkok Declaration) | Secretariat: **Dhaka, Bangladesh**.
- Member States (7): **Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand**.
- Secretary General: **Indra Mani Pandey**.
- Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC):
- Established: **2001** | Location: **Sri Vijaya Puram** (India's only integrated tri-service command).
- Renaming Note:
- Port Blair, the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, was officially renamed **Sri Vijaya Puram**.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: Where was the maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise held?
A: Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
Q: In which city is the permanent Secretariat of BIMSTEC located?
A: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Q: Who is serving as the Secretary General of BIMSTEC in 2026?
A: Indra Mani Pandey
#BIMSTEC #MaritimeSecurityExercise #IndianNavy #SriVijayaPuram #AndamanNicobarCommand #DefenseCurrentAffairs #StaticGK