Indian, Thai armies to take part in joint exercise

[StormShadow]

NEW DELHI: An Indian Army contingent is headed for Thailand bang in the middle of a military takeover in the Southeast Asian country to "restore peace and order" amid the ongoing political crisis there.

The contingent of 45 soldiers of the 21 Punjab battalion, which is based at Kapurthala, was slated to leave for Thailand late on Tuesday night to participate in the joint combat exercise 'Maitree' with the Royal Thai Army from May 24 onwards.

There was some concern in South Block about the worsening situation in Thailand, which came to a head on Tuesday morning with martial law being declared in the country, but it was felt it was too late to back out from the exercise "fixed months in advance".
The overall aim behind the Maitree exercise, which will be held in the Chiang Mai hills, is counter-terrorism with the troops sharpening their combat skills in both urban and rural terrain. "Indian and Thai forces have been exercising regularly together since 2007. Maitree itself means 'friendship' both in Hindi and Thai. With terrorism being a global problem, many want to learn from the Indian Army's long experience in tackling sub-conventional warfare or low-intensity conflict operations," said an official.

With an eye firmly on China, India has been gradually stepping up both economic and military ties with countries in the Asia Pacific region for the last several years. India, for instance, offered Thailand collaboration in defence production during defence minister A K Antony's visit there in 2013.

Officials believe Thailand can prove to be India's natural gateway into the Asean region. With India's 'Look East Policy' being complimented by Thailand's 'Look West Policy', efforts are in progress to kick-start the ambitious project to build the trilateral highway project aimed at connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand.
Political turmoil and military interventions are not something new to Thailand, a parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy. In 2006, for instance, the military had ousted the "Red Shirts-backed" government of then PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who now lives in exile.

The latest crisis, which once again saw soldiers and tanks patrolling the streets of Bangkok, arose after a huge political rift in the wake of Thailand's constitutional court removing caretaker PM Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, from the government a fortnight ago.

Indian, Thai armies to take part in joint exercise - The Times of India

 

[SRP]

Well AFAIK the joint exercise has been called off amid the army cope in Thailand.

 

[Tshering22]

Well AFAIK the joint exercise has been called off amid the army cope in Thailand.

Not really.

When the Army is in control, they are in their element. The wargames will not involve the entire armada of Thai military. We don't have such an intense level of engagement with them. Only a handful of units would participate.

I am happy to see that unlike the p*ssy regime that was kicked out of Delhi last week, we don't give a horseshit about whoever rules our strategically important partners.

Let's hope we don't preach the US-style 'democracy is god' nonsense to them and engage more seriously with them.

Their country, their rules, their people. Let them form any government they want.

I'd say we increase collaboration with them in fighting jihadi terrorists. They have the same problem as we do in their southern country.

 

[SRP]

Not really.

When the Army is in control, they are in their element. The wargames will not involve the entire armada of Thai military. We don't have such an intense level of engagement with them. Only a handful of units would participate.

I am happy to see that unlike the p*ssy regime that was kicked out of Delhi last week, we don't give a horseshit about whoever rules our strategically important partners.

Let's hope we don't preach the US-style 'democracy is god' nonsense to them and engage more seriously with them.

Their country, their rules, their people. Let them form any government they want.

I'd say we increase collaboration with them in fighting jihadi terrorists. They have the same problem as we do in their southern country.

India Recalls Army Contingent From Thailand Following Military Coup

New Delhi: India has recalled an army contingent it had sent to Thailand for joint military exercises with the Thai army following the military coup in that country.

"Our troops, currently in Thailand for Maitree exercises, have been advised to return to India," Syed Akbaruddin, the spokesman of the external affairs ministry, said on Friday.

Thai army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday declared a coup in Bangkok on Thursday and seized power from the caretaker government in order to prevent ongoing political tensions in that southeast Asian nation.

He later declared himself as acting prime minister until someone is found to permanently serve the post, media reported on Friday.

India Recalls Army Contingent From Thailand Following Military Coup | NDTV.com

 

[Tshering22]

India Recalls Army Contingent From Thailand Following Military Coup

New Delhi: India has recalled an army contingent it had sent to Thailand for joint military exercises with the Thai army following the military coup in that country.

"Our troops, currently in Thailand for Maitree exercises, have been advised to return to India," Syed Akbaruddin, the spokesman of the external affairs ministry, said on Friday.

Thai army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday declared a coup in Bangkok on Thursday and seized power from the caretaker government in order to prevent ongoing political tensions in that southeast Asian nation.

He later declared himself as acting prime minister until someone is found to permanently serve the post, media reported on Friday.

India Recalls Army Contingent From Thailand Following Military Coup | NDTV.com

That's bad.

Thanks for the news.

We should continue if the Thai contingent is willing to carry forward.