India plans joint exercises to protect Sitwe sea route

Amid China's growing influence in Myanmar's Sitwe port and intelligence inputs about Rohingya using the sea route to enter India, Indian Navy is looking at enhancing cooperation with navies of neighbouring countries.

To that end, joint exercises in the Bay of Bengal are being planned, sources said.

The enhanced cooperation also includes training of cadets and deploying more vessels in the region.

In wake of the Rohingya influx the navy and coast guard have also tightened surveillance.

Amidst this, Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief, Myanmar Navy, who is on a visit to India to consolidate and enhance bilateral defence relations, will be here till Thursday.

The Admiral has also visited various Naval establishments at Mumbai and Kochi as part of his itinerary, prior to arriving in New Delhi where he is scheduled to call on the three service chiefs. "Naval cooperation between India and Myanmar has been traditionally strong, encompassing a wide span which includes operational interactions," Ministry of Defence said.

NEW PLANS

• Joint excercises in Bay of Bengal planned with neighbouring navies.
   
• Enhanced cooperation also includes training of cadets and deploying vessels