As part of the ongoing India-Myanmar defence relations, Navies of the two
countries have conducted Coordinated Patrols along the Maritime boundary since
2013. Taking it forward, the Fourth Edition of the India-Myanmar Coordinated
Patrol (IMCOR) was successfully undertaken from February 13 to 16, 2016 along
the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Andaman Sea. Indian Navy
Ships Saryu and Bitra along with Union of Myanmar Ships Aung Zeya and FAC 563
participated in the 4th IMCOR. Cmde Girish Garg, Naval Component
Commander from the Tri-Service HQs in Port Blair was embarked onboard INS
Saryu.
During the Closing Ceremony of 4th IMCOR, the Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) for IMCOR was also signed between Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy.
Cmde Atul Anand VSM from Indian Navy and Cmde Aung Zaw Hlaing from Myanmar Navy
signed the document in the presence of H.E Gautam Mukhopadhaya, the Ambassador
of India to Myanmar. This is only the third country with which India has signed
a formal agreement for maritime coordinated patrols and reflects growing naval
interaction between India and Myanmar. The signing of the SOP is a significant
achievement and will facilitate smooth conduct of coordinated patrols between
two friendly neighbours that share a long maritime boundary in the
strategically significant Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.


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DKS/CKP