Indian Navy will set up meteorological facilities and impart training for the Myanmar Navy. This was agreed upon during a recent visit of a Myanmar delegation to Kochi. Myanmar will soon send a proposal with its requirements.
This fits into India’s overall effort to boost strategic cooperation under the ‘Act East’ policy and will help offset increasing Chinese presence in its neighbourhood.
The three-member Myanmar Navy delegation was on a four-day visit to Kochi from February 26 to March 2. “The visit is primarily aimed at familiarising the officers on Indian Naval Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) operational/training facilities and exploring avenues for defence co-operation in the field,” the Navy said in a statement.
The Navy said the delegation also called on the Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command (SNC), Rear Admiral R.J. Nadkarni, who “assured them all assistance in terms of training and setting up of meteorological facilities for the Myanmar Navy.”
“He requested the delegation to send a proposal for the SNC to take up the same with higher authorities,” the Navy stated.
As a prelude to the cooperation, the delegation was given a tour of the Indian Naval Meteorological and Analysis Centre (INMAC), as well as the School of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology (SNOM).
