In the first such exercise, the Indian and Royal Thai Navies carried out a joint patrol in the Andaman Sea to enhance mutual understanding and keep checks on smuggling, piracy, drug trafficking, illegal fishing and illegal immigration.

Two ships of Andaman and Nicobar Command, INS Kulish and INS Tarasa, and two Royal Thai navy ships, HTMS Khamaronsin and HTMS Chon Buri, took part in the exercise near the maritime boundary from September 17 to 20, Commander Salil Mehta said.

The exercise, to enhance '"mutual understanding and inter-operability', also focussed on steps to prevent smuggling, piracy, drug trafficiking, illegal fishing and illegal immigration, he said.

A delegation, led by Rear Admiral Amronochot Suiyraj, chief of staff of Third Area command (Phuket) of the Royal
Thai navy arrived for the exercise on September 17.

The visiting admiral also called on Lieutenant General Aditya Singh, commander-in-chief of Andaman and Nicobar command, and held discussions on bilateral issues.