India hosts maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Synopsis
India has launched the first-ever BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands — a direct delivery on PM Modi's pledge at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. With seven Bay of Bengal nations participating in tabletop drills and a harbour phase through 3 November, this is the most concrete multilateral maritime security initiative the bloc has undertaken, and signals India's strategic intent to lead regional ocean governance.
Key Takeaways
India is hosting the maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise in Sri Vijaya Puram , Andaman and Nicobar Islands, from 31 October to 3 November 2026 .
The exercise was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty , Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command.
It follows a pledge by PM Narendra Modi at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand and is anchored in the Delhi Declaration .
The format includes three days of Tabletop Exercises and a two-day Harbour Phase , with ships from all 7 BIMSTEC member nations .
Key focus areas include maritime domain awareness , HADR , anti-terrorism, cross-border maritime crime, and marine pollution response.
Bangladesh , Myanmar , and Sri Lanka sent senior delegations for the inauguration.
India is hosting the maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise in Sri Vijaya Puram, the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to strengthen maritime cooperation and enhance operational coordination among member nations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday, 1 November 2026. The exercise, which commenced on 31 October and runs through 3 November 2026, marks a landmark moment for regional security architecture in the Bay of Bengal.
Background and Strategic Context
The exercise is among the key initiatives announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Thailand last year. Anchored in the Delhi Declaration, it translates the shared maritime security commitments of BIMSTEC leaders into coordinated operational action. BIMSTEC — the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation — comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Structure and Key Participants
The exercise features three days of Tabletop Exercises followed by a two-day Harbour Phase, with ships from all BIMSTEC member countries participating. The inauguration ceremony was held at Sri Vijaya Puram on Friday by Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command. The event was attended by Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, National Maritime Security Coordinator, along with senior delegations from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
Operational Objectives
According to the MEA, the exercise aims to enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA), build operational coordination across the Bay of Bengal, and strengthen regional security cooperation. It also focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), responses to cross-border maritime crimes, and marine pollution arising from oil and hazardous material spills. Combating terrorism and other transnational maritime threats is explicitly cited as a key objective, reflecting the Bay of Bengal's growing strategic salience.
What the MEA and Naval Command Said
In a post on X, the MEA stated: 'The exercise translates the shared vision of BIMSTEC leaders into action, reinforcing maritime cooperation, enhancing operational coordination and interoperability, and contributing towards a safe, secure and stable maritime environment in the Bay of Bengal.' The Andaman and Nicobar Command added on X that the drill 'marks a significant step towards translating shared maritime security commitments into coordinated action at sea,' with a focus on improving information-sharing and building collective responses to maritime threats.
Broader Significance
Over the years, BIMSTEC has grown into a dynamic regional body whose member states share a common vision of a free, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Notably, this is the first-ever maritime security exercise under the BIMSTEC framework, underscoring India's intent to anchor its 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' foreign policy through concrete multilateral security mechanisms. With China's naval footprint in the Indian Ocean deepening, analysts see India's push to operationalise BIMSTEC maritime cooperation as strategically timed. The outcomes of this exercise are expected to inform the institutionalisation of a regular BIMSTEC maritime drill cycle.
Point of View
And New Delhi is asserting the convening authority that comes with it. The real test will be whether this becomes an annual, treaty-backed mechanism or remains a one-off showcase. Given that China's Indian Ocean footprint continues to expand and ASEAN-led forums remain India's rivals for regional centrality, the pressure to institutionalise — not just inaugurate — is acute.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise 2026?
It is the first-ever maritime security exercise conducted under the BIMSTEC framework, hosted by India at Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Running from 31 October to 3 November 2026, it involves ships and senior delegations from all seven BIMSTEC member nations — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Why is India hosting this exercise in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands sit at the strategic northern entrance to the Strait of Malacca and are central to India's maritime security posture in the Bay of Bengal. Hosting the exercise there reinforces India's role as the primary security provider in the region and aligns with its 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' foreign policy priorities.
What was the origin of this exercise?
The exercise was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Thailand last year. It is anchored in the Delhi Declaration and represents the first concrete multilateral maritime security action under that commitment.
What are the key objectives of the BIMSTEC maritime drill?
The exercise aims to enhance maritime domain awareness, strengthen operational coordination and interoperability, improve information-sharing, and build collective responses to terrorism, cross-border maritime crime, marine pollution from oil and hazardous spills, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) scenarios.
Who are the BIMSTEC member countries?
BIMSTEC comprises seven Bay of Bengal nations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The grouping focuses on multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation, with maritime security now emerging as a core operational domain.
