**Executive Summary**
The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron (1TS), including ships INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi, arrived at Phuket Deep Sea Port, Thailand on January 25, 2026, as part of an ongoing training deployment to Southeast Asia. The visit underscores the growing maritime partnership between India and Thailand, as the year 2026 is being celebrated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. India is scheduled to assume the IONS Chair from Thailand in February 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Visit Details:**
* The Indian Navy's 1TS, comprised of INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi, arrived at Phuket Deep Sea Port, Thailand, on January 25, 2026.
* The ships were welcomed by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).
* **Bilateral Relationship:**
* The visit signifies the growing maritime partnership between India and Thailand.
* Both navies will participate in professional and training interactions to enhance cooperation.
* Activities include interactions with senior RTN leadership, professional exchanges, yoga sessions, sports fixtures, and Passage Exercise (PASSEX).
* Bilateral initiatives, such as Ex Ayutthaya and CORPAT, enhance coordination in maritime spaces.
* **Regional Maritime Cooperation:**
* The trilateral maritime exercise SITMEX reflects enhanced interoperability among regional navies.
* India will assume the IONS Chair from Thailand in February 2026.
* **Strategic Vision:**
* The visit aligns with India's MAHASAGAR vision.
* It underscores the Indian Navy's commitment to constructive engagement with regional partners.
**Impact Analysis**
**Royal Thai Navy (RTN)**
* **Impact:** Strengthened bilateral relationship with the Indian Navy. Engagement in joint training and exercises. The RTN is the current Chair of IONS.
* **Action Required:** Engage in planned interactions, professional exchanges, and exercises with the Indian Navy.
**Indian Navy**
* **Impact:** Enhanced training deployment to Southeast Asia and strengthened regional partnerships. The Indian Navy will assume IONS Chair from Thailand in February 2026.
* **Action Required:** Participate in planned interactions, professional exchanges, and exercises with the RTN. Prepare to assume the IONS Chair.
**Indian Ocean Region**
* **Impact:** Reinforces India's role as a responsible maritime partner and its commitment to strengthening maritime security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
* **Action Required:** N/A
Key Entities Referenced
Royal Thai Navy (RTN): The naval force of Thailand, actively participating in joint exercises and interactions with the Indian Navy.
MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions): The Government of India’s vision for security and growth in the Indian Ocean Region.
Indian Navy: The naval force of India, deploying training squadrons to Southeast Asia and engaging in maritime cooperation.
Phuket, Thailand: Location of the deep sea port where the Indian Navy training squadron arrived.
ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation: A cooperative effort being celebrated in 2026, indicating the partnership between ASEAN and India in maritime affairs.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVY’S FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON
ARRIVES AT PHUKET DEEP SEA PORT,
THAILAND
प्रव तथ: 26 JAN 2026 12:30PM by PIB Delhi
As part of the ongoing training deployment to Southeast Asia, ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training
Squadron (1TS) — INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata—along with ICGS Sarathi, arrived at Phuket
Deep Sea Port, Thailand, on 25 Jan 2026. The ships were accorded a warm welcome by the Royal Thai
Navy (RTN) amidst the ceremonial fanfare of the RTN Band.
The visit symbolises the growing maritime partnership between India and Thailand, underpinned by a
shared commitment to regional security, stability, and mutual understanding. The port call assumes special
significance as 2026 is being celebrated as the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
During the port call, personnel from the Indian Navy and the RTN will engage in a range of professional
and training interactions aimed at enhancing cooperation and operational synergy. Planned activities
include interactions with senior RTN leadership, professional exchanges, yoga sessions, friendly sports
fixtures, and Passage Exercise (PASSEX).
The Indian Navy and the RTN share a close, friendly, and steadily evolving bilateral relationship,
strengthened through regular engagements and exercises. Bilateral initiatives such as Ex Ayutthaya and
the Indo–Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) continue to enhance coordination in shared maritime
spaces. Additionally, the trilateral maritime exercise SITMEX, conducted last year, reflects enhanced
interoperability and professional synergy among regional navies, including the RTN. The Indian Navy
looks forward to building upon the RTN’s exemplary stewardship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium
(IONS) as India assumes the IONS Chair from Thailand in February 2026.
The visit of the First Training Squadron to Thailand aligns with the Government of India’s vision of
MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and
underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to constructive engagement with regional partners. The
deployment highlights India’s role as a responsible maritime partner and its continued efforts to strengthen
maritime security and cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region._____________________________________________________________
VM/SPS 17/26
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