The third iteration of the annual trilateral naval exercise, Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise or SITMEX, recently made headlines after being conducted in the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean. This year, Thailand played host to the event, which has been held annually since 2019.
Details on SITMEX
SITMEX is a yearly naval exercise involving Singapore, India, and Thailand with the aim of enhancing maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise was first announced by India at the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2018. The Shangri-La Dialogue, launched in 2002 and organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), is respected as Asia’s principal defence summit.
The inaugural edition of SITMEX took place off Port Blair in September 2019, hosted by the Indian Navy. Subsequently, Singapore hosted the second edition of the exercise in November 2020. This year’s chapter was facilitated by Thailand in the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean.
The SITMEX exercise comprises several tactical training drills that include naval maneuvers, surface warfare exercises, and other procedures designed to bolster mutual confidence among the participating nations.
SITMEX and India’s Vision for Maritime Security
The trilateral naval exercise aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. SAGAR’s primary goal is to provide a secure and stable environment, especially in the maritime domain, for all nations in the region.
Military Exercises Between India And Thailand
In addition to SITMEX, India partakes in a few other military exercises with Thailand which encompasses different divisions of armed forces.
These include MAITREE, which involves both countries’ armies; SIAM BHARAT, undertaken by the Air Forces of the two nations; and Indo-Thai CORPAT, a naval exercise that was conducted recently between the Indian and Thai navies.
Military Exercises Between India And Singapore
Similarly, India conducts several military exercises with Singapore as well. ‘Bold Kurukshetra’ is one such, jointly executed by the armies of both nations. The Air Forces from India and Singapore partake in an initiative known as ‘Joint Military Training’. Lastly, the naval forces from the two nations collaborate for an exercise named ‘SIMBEX’.
Besides being an exercise in maritime collaboration and security, SITMEX also exemplifies the diplomatic ties between Singapore, India, and Thailand. Moreover, it illustrates India’s commitment to fostering a secure and growth-oriented region per its SAGAR vision. This exercise and others like it, involving multiple nations, serve to bolster regional security and promote mutual understanding among all parties involved.
