India and Myanmar Deepen Maritime Cooperation with Navy Port Call and Joint Army Exercise

On September 15, the Indian Navy’s guided‑missile frigate INS Karmuk and the landing craft utility LCU 51 sailed into the bustling port of Yangon. The visit, billed by the Andaman & Nicobar Command as a “port call,” is more than a courtesy stop – it’s a tangible sign of India’s push to cement maritime cooperation with its northern neighbour.

“These interactions contribute towards maintaining a safe and secure maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region and realise the Indian Navy’s vision as the preferred security partner,” the command posted on X, echoing a broader strategy to weave tighter security nets across the IOR.

While the ships were docked, officials from both sides exchanged pleasantries, inspected each other’s vessels and discussed joint patrols, humanitarian assistance and disaster‑relief protocols. The presence of a frigate and a landing craft together underscores a willingness to cover both blue‑water and littoral scenarios, a nuance often lost in headline‑driven coverage.

Almost in parallel, the army side of the partnership took centre stage in the hills of Meghalaya. The 5th edition of the India‑Myanmar Bilateral Army Exercise, known as IMBAX 2026, kicked off at the Joint Training Node in Umroi on the same day. Spanning fourteen days, the drill aims to sharpen interoperability, especially for United Nations‑mandated peace‑keeping missions.

Soldiers from both forces are busy rehearsing jungle warfare, convoy protection and medical evacuations. According to a tweet from the ADGPI of the Indian Army, the exercise also offers a chance to showcase indigenous weapons and equipment, aligning with the “Jai Se Vijay” ethos of self‑reliance.

Both the naval visit and the army exercise send a clear message: India and Myanmar are intent on moving beyond rhetoric to real, on‑the‑ground (and on‑the‑sea) cooperation. By synchronising their capabilities, the two countries hope to better manage shared challenges – from piracy and illegal fishing to natural disasters that can strike the region without warning.

Analysts note that such engagements are part of a larger Indian effort to build a network of friendly ports and joint training venues across its extended neighbourhood, a strategy aimed at counterbalancing other great‑power influences in the Indian Ocean.

For now, the decks of INS Karmuk are still humming with activity, and the soldiers in Meghalaya are learning to march in step. It may sound routine, but each handshake, each joint drill, stitches a tighter fabric of security that could prove crucial for the region’s stability in the years ahead.