India NDC delegation visits Royal Thai Marine Corps HQ, strengthens bilateral naval ties
Synopsis
India's National Defence College delegation, led by Maj Gen APS Bal, visited the Royal Thai Marine Corps HQ, HTMS Chang, and the RTAF Headquarters in Bangkok — holding talks on bilateral naval cooperation and meeting Ambassador Puneet Agarwal. The tour signals India's steady push to deepen defence ties with Thailand under its Act East Policy.
Key Takeaways
India's NDC delegation visited the Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters and Sattahip Naval Port on 6 June as part of a Foreign Countries Study Tour.
The delegation toured warship HTMS Chang and held discussions on bilateral naval engagements between India and Thailand.
A wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at the Royal Thai Marine Corps Monument to honour fallen Thai Marines.
The delegation, led by Major General APS Bal , also visited RTAF Headquarters and met Air Marshal Wichain Vijiradharma .
Talks with Ambassador Puneet Agarwal covered strengthening the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership through enhanced defence engagement.
A delegation from India's National Defence College (NDC) visited the Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters in Thailand on 6 June and held substantive discussions with the Royal Thai Navy on bilateral naval engagements, the Embassy of India in Bangkok confirmed. The visit forms part of a broader Foreign Countries Study Tour aimed at deepening the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership.
Key Visits and Activities
The NDC delegation toured Sattahip Naval Port, the warship HTMS Chang, and the Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters and Museum. During the ship tour, the delegation was briefed on the roles and responsibilities of these institutions. The visit also included a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Royal Thai Marine Corps Monument, honouring Thai Marines who lost their lives in service.
Bilateral Naval Discussions
'The delegation toured the ship HTMS Chang and were briefed about the roles and responsibilities of these institutions. They also held productive discussions on bilateral naval engagements between the Indian and Royal Thai Navies,' the Embassy of India in Bangkok noted in a post on X. The discussions reflect growing momentum in maritime cooperation between the two nations, which already conduct joint patrols near the international maritime boundary to counter terrorism, piracy, and smuggling.
RTAF Headquarters and Ambassador Meeting
Earlier in the week, the delegation visited the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Headquarters in Bangkok for a courtesy call on Air Marshal Wichain Vijiradharma, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence). The delegation was warmly received and later toured the RTAF Museum. The NDC team, led by Major General APS Bal, also paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Puneet Agarwal at the Embassy of India in Bangkok, where wide-ranging discussions were held on strengthening the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership through enhanced defence-sector engagement.
Broader India-Thailand Defence Framework
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India-Thailand defence cooperation encompasses regular joint exercises, joint maritime patrols, officer training at each other's Armed Forces institutions, service staff talks, and exchanges of visits at various levels. This study tour reinforces that framework at a time when both nations are deepening their engagement under the Act East Policy. Notably, this visit comes as India continues to expand its defence footprint across Southeast Asia, with Thailand serving as a strategically significant partner in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea corridor.
Point of View
Thailand's primary naval base, and the RTAF Headquarters in the same week suggests a deliberate effort to map out both maritime and air cooperation pathways. India's Act East Policy has long promised deeper engagement with ASEAN militaries, but the pace of operationalising that through NDC-level visits and strategic discussions is picking up. The real test will be whether these exchanges translate into expanded joint exercise frameworks or formal defence procurement corridors — neither of which has been publicly detailed yet.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did India's NDC delegation do at the Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters?
The delegation toured the Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters, Museum, and the warship HTMS Chang, and held discussions on bilateral naval engagements between the Indian and Royal Thai Navies. A wreath-laying ceremony was also conducted at the Royal Thai Marine Corps Monument.
Who led the Indian NDC delegation to Thailand?
The delegation was led by Major General APS Bal of India's National Defence College. The team also met Ambassador Puneet Agarwal at the Embassy of India in Bangkok to discuss strengthening the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership.
What is the purpose of the NDC Foreign Countries Study Tour?
The Foreign Countries Study Tour is a structured programme that exposes senior Indian defence officers to the military institutions, capabilities, and strategic priorities of partner nations. It is designed to build professional relationships and identify areas for enhanced bilateral cooperation.
What does India-Thailand defence cooperation currently include?
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, it includes regular joint exercises, joint maritime patrols near the international maritime boundary to counter terrorism, piracy and smuggling, officer training exchanges, service staff talks, and visits at various levels.
Why is the India-Thailand defence relationship strategically significant?
Thailand is a key partner in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea corridor, making it central to India's Act East Policy and its broader maritime security architecture in Southeast Asia. Enhanced defence ties with Bangkok help India project stability across a region where China's naval presence is growing.
