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

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