New Delhi, Sep 2026 : The 14th edition of the India-Thailand Naval Staff Talks concluded successfully in New Delhi, with the two sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation, capacity building and training, while identifying new areas for closer collaboration.
The talks were held on September 3 and were co-chaired by Rear Admiral Sachin R Sequeira, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence), and Rear Admiral Chaksawat Saiwong, Director of the Office of Policy and Planning under the Naval Operations Department of the Royal Thai Navy.
According to the Indian Navy, the discussions focused on strengthening the foundations of bilateral naval engagement and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Both sides reiterated their commitment to capacity building and training initiatives and explored additional avenues to deepen operational and professional ties.
The latest round of talks comes amid increasing maritime engagement between India and Thailand, with both navies regularly participating in exercises and professional exchanges aimed at enhancing interoperability and contributing to regional maritime security.
In July, Indian Naval Ships INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti, operating as part of the Eastern Fleet, conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Royal Thai Navy's HTMS Chao Phraya after completing a port visit to Sattahip, Thailand.
The exercise provided an opportunity for the two navies to improve coordination and interoperability at sea while reaffirming their shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability.
The Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet ships had earlier undertaken a range of professional and cultural engagements during their stay at Sattahip. These included professional interactions between personnel, a joint yoga session, sporting activities and ship visits, providing opportunities for personnel from both navies to strengthen mutual understanding and camaraderie.
The visit concluded with a farewell ceremony hosted by the Royal Thai Navy. The engagements reflected the broader scope of India's maritime cooperation with Thailand, extending beyond operational exercises to include training, professional interaction and people-to-people exchanges.
As part of the visit, Indian and Thai naval personnel also participated in sporting activities. On June 30, personnel from the two navies played a friendly volleyball match during the visit of INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti to Sattahip.
The successful conclusion of the 14th Staff Talks is expected to provide further momentum to bilateral naval cooperation, particularly in the areas of training and capacity building. The discussions also underline the importance both countries attach to maintaining regular defence engagements and strengthening cooperation in the maritime domain.
