ASEAN AIME Naval Drill: Indian Eyes on China

From May 2 to 8, India will conduct its first-ever maritime exercise with South East Asian nations off the coast of Singapore, while keeping a careful eye on the “large...

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May 3, 2023
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From May 2 to 8, India will conduct its first-ever maritime exercise with South East Asian nations off the coast of Singapore, while keeping a careful eye on the “large presence” of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy boats in the Indian Ocean.

ASEAN AIME Naval Drill Indian Eyes on China

Visit of Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar

Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, will be in Singapore from May 2 to 4, 2023. During the tour, the CNS co-officiated the inauguration ceremony of the maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2023, which took place on May 2 at Changi Naval Base in Singapore. Adm R Hari Kumar and RAdm Sean Wat, Chief of Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy, jointly inaugurated the ceremony in the presence of senior officials from other ASEAN nations. The Republic of Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy are co-hosting this maiden edition of AIME, which will include ships and troops from other ASEAN countries. The port phase of the exercise will take place at Changi Naval Base from May 2 to 4, 2023, and the sea phase will take place in the South China Sea from May 7 to 8, 2023.

ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME)

Admiral R Hari Kumar of the Indian Navy will visit Singapore for the first-ever ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME). The practice would focus on improving interoperability between India and the ten ASEAN nations’ navies. In November 2022, India will upgrade its 30-year-old relationship with the ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It also tried to strengthen military ties by holding a maritime war drill with all ten members of the bloc. After China, the United States, and Russia, India will be the fourth ASEAN conversation partner to conduct a maritime exercise with the 10-nation group.

New Delhi’s decision to increase maritime security cooperation with South East Asian nations comes in the midst of China’s increasing belligerence, not only along its disputed border with India in the Himalayas, but also in the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region.

Admiral Hari Kumar recently stated that India was aware of the “large presence” of Chinese PLA Navy boats in the Indian Ocean region and was keeping “a very close watch” on developments in the region in order to protect and preserve its national interests in the maritime domain. He also stated that the Indian Navy was keeping a careful eye on Chinese PLAN vessels docking in Pakistani ports. In reaction to China’s advance into India’s maritime neighborhood, New Delhi decided to host a naval drill with South East Asian states.

Significance of AIME 2023

The AIME-23 is designed to promote maritime cooperation and build trust, friendship, and confidence between the ASEAN and Indian navies. The Harbour Phase, which will take place in Singapore from May 2 to May 4, will feature a variety of professional and social exchanges between the participating fleets, including cross-deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), and planning discussions. The Sea Phase, which will take place in the South China Sea from May 7 to May 8, will allow participating navies to strengthen their ties in the coordination and execution of marine operations.

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