Indian Naval Ships Udaygiri, Kavaratti and Shakti have arrived at Sattahip, Thailand, during the Eastern Fleet’s operational deployment to the South East Asia Region.
The ships are being led by RAdm Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. According to the Press Information Bureau, the Royal Thai Navy received the Indian Navy ships on arrival.
Port call focused on naval cooperation
The visit is part of India’s maritime engagement with countries in South East Asia. It is also linked to the long-standing maritime partnership between India and Thailand.
During the port call, personnel from the two navies are expected to take part in professional exchanges and operational interactions. The programme will also include cross-deck visits, sporting engagements and community outreach activities.
These activities are aimed at improving navy-to-navy cooperation and interoperability. Cross-deck visits and professional exchanges allow personnel to understand working practices on each other’s ships, while operational interactions support better coordination during maritime engagements.
Eastern Fleet presence in the region
The Eastern Fleet operates under the Indian Navy’s eastern command structure and conducts deployments in areas of maritime interest to India. The arrival of Udaygiri, Kavaratti and Shakti at Sattahip forms part of the fleet’s wider presence in the South East Asia Region during this deployment.
The PIB statement said the port call is intended to strengthen camaraderie, mutual cooperation and bilateral maritime ties between India and Thailand. The statement also noted that the visit showcases the indigenous design, modular construction and modern technology of Indian Naval ships.
The ships’ presence in Thailand also highlights India’s growing capabilities in defence technology, according to the official release. The statement described India as a reliable partner in this area.
India-Thailand maritime engagement
India and Thailand share maritime links through the wider Indo-Pacific region, and naval visits are one way the two sides maintain service-level contact. Such port calls usually provide space for formal interactions between officers, ship visits and practical exchanges involving crew members.
For this visit, the focus remains on professional engagement between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy. The planned activities are centred on cooperation at sea, operational familiarity and people-to-people contact between naval personnel.
The port call at Sattahip continues the Indian Navy’s outreach in South East Asia through ship visits and operational deployments. No additional schedule details were provided in the source release.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.