India Hosts First-Ever BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise
India hosted the maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands from October 30 to November 3, 2026. All seven BIMSTEC member nations participated in the historic exercise to enhance regional maritime cooperation and security.
What happened
India hosted the first-ever BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly known as Port Blair, in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The event brought together all seven member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
The exercise was conducted under the banner 'Shared Seas, Shared Security and Shared Prosperity' with a focus on 'Translating Vision to Action'. It was inaugurated on October 30, 2026, by Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN).
The deployment featured Tabletop Exercises followed by a Harbour and Sea Phase. Littoral member states deployed naval assets and ships—including the Sri Lanka Navy ship SLNS Gajabahu and the Myanmar Navy ship UMS King Aung Zeya—while landlocked nations Bhutan and Nepal sent official delegation representatives.
The core objectives included enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness, improving interoperability, and streamlining joint responses to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime crimes, terrorism, and marine pollution. The initiative stems from proposals made at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and the Delhi Declaration from the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting.
Important dates
| BIMSTEC Established | 6 June 1997 |
|---|---|
| Exercise Commencement | 30 October 2026 |
| Exercise Conclusion | 3 November 2026 |
📌 Static GK links
- BIMSTEC stands for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
- BIMSTEC was established on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.
- The permanent Secretariat of BIMSTEC is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- The seven member countries of BIMSTEC are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
What candidates should do
- Note down the exact location, dates, and participating nations for upcoming objective-type banking and SSC exams.
- Revise the permanent headquarters and founding year of BIMSTEC for static GK sections.
- Understand India's strategic leadership role under the security cooperation pillar of BIMSTEC.
PrepZen analysis
The hosting of the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise marks a significant milestone in India's regional defence diplomacy and its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. By bringing together littoral and landlocked states under one maritime framework, India reinforces its commitment to collective security, disaster response, and maritime domain awareness in the Bay of Bengal region. Aspirants can expect direct factual questions regarding the host location, participating nations, and static details concerning BIMSTEC in upcoming competitive exams.
Practice questions
Q1. Where was the first-ever BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise hosted?
Q2. Which of the following countries is NOT a member of BIMSTEC?
Q3. When was BIMSTEC established?
Held in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
All seven BIMSTEC member countries participated.
🎯 Key Point: India hosted BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise.
FAQs
Where was the first BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise held?
It was held in Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Which countries participated in the exercise?
All seven BIMSTEC member countries participated: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Where is the headquarters of BIMSTEC located?
The BIMSTEC Permanent Secretariat is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
What was the theme of the exercise?
The exercise was held under the banner 'Shared Seas, Shared Security and Shared Prosperity' with a focus on 'Translating Vision to Action'.
Sources and references
- morungexpress.com (www.morungexpress.com)
- tribuneindia.com (www.tribuneindia.com)
- bignewsnetwork.com (www.bignewsnetwork.com)
- defence.in (defence.in)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
Practice Quiz — 3 November 2026
Q1. Who has recently been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)?
Q2. What is the primary objective of the newly notified VB-G RAM G Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026 by the Ministry of Rural Development?
Q3. Where did Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026?
Q4. How many Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs) will be acquired by the Indian Navy under the recent ₹53,866.50 crore deal signed by the Ministry of Defence?
Q5. Which Indian Naval Ship recently completed a 10-month 'Lokayan 26' transoceanic sailing expedition?
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