AIME-2026 Begins in Philippines: India & ASEAN Step Up Maritime Cooperation

Why in the News?

The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) commenced at Subic Bay, Philippines, on September 28, 2026, marking a significant milestone in operational coordination between the Indian Navy and ASEAN maritime forces.

Key Features / Major Points:

Theme: The exercise is being conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea”.

Indian Navy Participation: Stealth Frigate INS Sahyadri and Guided Missile Corvette INS Kulish are participating in the drills.

Opening Ceremony: Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, attended as the Guest of Honour.

Exercise Phases:

Harbour Phase: Focused on Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), sports, cultural programs, and operational synchronization briefings.

Sea Phase: Involves coordinated tactical exercises at sea to improve interoperability and joint action capability.

Policy Context: Conducted in alignment with India's Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision.

Static GK Facts:

Full Form of MAHASAGAR: Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

ASEAN Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia.

Establishment of ASEAN: August 8, 1967.

One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):

Q: Where was the second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) conducted?

A: Subic Bay, Philippines

Q: Which Indian Naval Ships participated in AIME-2026?

A: INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish

Q: What is the theme of AIME-2026?

A: “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea”

#AIME2026 #IndianNavy #ASEAN #ActEastPolicy #MAHASAGAR #CurrentAffairs #StaticGK