Fourth edition of India-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) was conducted jointly by ships of both navies along the International Maritime Boundary Line in the Andaman Sea.
Indian Navy ships Saryu and Bitra along with Union of Myanmar ships Aung Zeya and FAC 563 participated in the four-day IMCOR that concluded on Tuesday. Naval Component Commander from the Tri-Service HQs in Port Blair Cmde Girish Garg was embarked onboard INS Saryu.
During the closing ceremony of the IMCOR, the standard operating procedure (SOP) for IMCOR was also signed between Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy. Cmde Atul Anand from Indian Navy and Cmde Aung Zaw Hlaing from Myanmar Navy signed the document in the presence of Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhaya. This is only the third country with which India has signed a formal agreement for maritime coordinated patrols. It reflects growing naval interaction between India and Myanmar. The signing of the SOP will facilitate smooth conduct of coordinated patrols between two friendly neighbours that share a long maritime boundary, according to a press release.