Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)

Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)

INS Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette based at the Andaman and Nicobar Command, alongwith a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, are participating in the 22nd Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT), scheduled from 19-27 Apr 16 in the Andaman Sea.

Maritime interaction between India and Thailand has been growing steadily with frequent port visits, participation in multilateral exercises and training exchanges. Under the broad ambit of this strong maritime relationship, the two navies have been carrying out CORPATs along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) twice a year since 2005, with the aim of keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade. 

The CORPAT has also strengthened understanding and interoperability between the navies and facilitated institution of measures to prevent unlawful activities at sea as well as conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

The 22nd edition of the CORPAT would include participation of one warship and one Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both sides with the Closing Ceremony being held at Port Blair, Headquarters Andaman and Nicobar Command (HQANC) from 25-27 Apr 16. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, Vice Admiral BK Verma, AVSM and Rear Admiral Warongkorn Osathanonda, Commander, Phangnga Naval Base, 3rd Naval Area Command, of the Royal Thailand Navy will be the Senior Officers at the Closing Ceremony.

India and Thailand have traditionally enjoyed a close and friendly relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which have strengthened over the years. The 22nd edition of CORPAT would bolster the already strong bilateral relationship between the two nations and contribute significantly to enhancing maritime security in the region.

- PIB

Deal With Myanmar, Thailand Soon for Road Network: Gadkari

Deal With Myanmar, Thailand Soon for Road Network: Gadkari

India will soon sign an agreement with Myanmar and Thailand to provide road connectivity in the region, following a similar agreement with three other nations, Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.

"The IMT trilateral highway project will be signed among three countries -- India, Myanmar and Thailand. The agreement is ready. We will sign it within 15 days so that there will be seamless connectivity to all these countries," Gadkari told the India Today Conclave here.

"Connectivity between Bangladesh, India, Bhutan and Nepal to promote seamless movement of goods from border has been already signed," the minister said, referring to the agreement inked in June last year, as part of a larger plan to connect the Subcontinent with Asean members.

"Now, 25 places from India have a bus service to Bangladesh."

Dwelling on faster road network, Gadkari said work had started on eastern and western principal express highways. This apart, the Delhi-Panipat highway was being built at a cost of Rs.15,000 crore, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi setting a target of 400 days for completion.

He also said that the 90-km, 14-lane Delhi-Meerut Express Highway will be a first of kind in India.

Gadkari said the country's northeast region was also a top priority for his government and that Rs.1 lakh crore had been allocated for roads projects there. "Our target is to complete the project in the northeast by five years," he said.

"Our 'Bharatmala' project is also on track," the minister said, referring to the plan for a major initiative for the national highways to improve road connectivity along the coast, borders, least developed regions, religious places, tourist spots along with bridges and road widening.

Detailed project reports are already being prepared for 17,200 km of roads with 205 rail over- and under-passes and 1,500 major bridges along the national highways. In ports, modernisation plans are afoot, even as work is progressing fast on inland waterways, Gadkari said.

- New Indian Express