Pariksha SaathiInaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise under way from 30 October to 3 November 2026
The Ministry of Defence said on 31 October 2026 that the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise is being conducted from 30 October to 3 November 2026, calling it a significant milestone in advancing maritime cooperation among the member states of BIMSTEC. The exercise brings together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, and reinforces the member states' shared commitment to regional security, stability and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal. Building upon the outcomes of the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, held under the theme 'BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open', it provides a practical framework for enhancing maritime cooperation and operational linkages among the participating nations, and reflects BIMSTEC's collective resolve towards 'Translating Vision to Action'. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen maritime domain awareness, improve coordination mechanisms and promote the exchange of best practices among the member states. It also highlights the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the role of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India's first integrated tri-service command, whose location astride critical sea lanes of communication and capabilities in maritime surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue, and regional engagement make it an important pillar of maritime security in the Bay of Bengal. The exercise embodies the spirit of 'Shared Seas, Shared Security and Shared Prosperity'.
Drafted with AI assistance from the official PIB release linked above and checked against it by a second AI pass. Not line-edited by a human.
Learning context
The 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated on 4 April 2025, was hosted by Thailand, then the chair, under the theme 'BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open'. The Summit adopted the Summit Declaration; the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 document, which lays out the road map for the collective prosperity of the region; the signing of the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement, which provides for national treatment and assistance to vessels, crew and cargo, mutual recognition of certificates and documents, a Joint Shipping Coordination Committee and a dispute settlement mechanism; and the report of the BIMSTEC Eminent Persons Group. The Prime Minister announced India-led initiatives including BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence in India on Disaster Management, Sustainable Maritime Transport, Traditional Medicine, and Research and Training in Agriculture, and said India would host the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027, when the group celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Check yourself: which country hosted the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, and which agreement signed there provides for a Joint Shipping Coordination Committee?
Thailand; the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement.
Revision task: from this release, note the exercise's dates, the participating countries, the Summit it builds upon and that Summit's theme, its four aims and the command it highlights; from the note, the 6th Summit's host and date, the documents it adopted and the Centres of Excellence India announced.
Test yourself
The inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise, being conducted from 30 October to 3 November 2026, builds upon the outcomes of which BIMSTEC Summit, held under the theme 'BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open'?
Show the answer
Answer: Sixth
The Ministry of Defence said the exercise builds upon the outcomes of the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, held under the theme 'BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open', and provides a practical framework for enhancing maritime cooperation and operational linkages among the participating nations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
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