The inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise, held from 30 October to 3 November 2026, focuses on which maritime region?
- A.Arabian Sea
- B.Bay of Bengal
- C.Gulf of Aden
- D.South China Sea
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is the Bay of Bengal. BIMSTEC is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, and its first maritime security exercise is aimed at security, stability and prosperity in that bay. The bay is the maritime space that links South Asia with South-East Asia and supports trade, connectivity, energy security and economic growth, which is why the member states chose it for their first joint drill on security at sea. Option A is wrong because the Arabian Sea lies on India's western side and is outside the grouping's defining geography. Option C is wrong because the Gulf of Aden, off the Horn of Africa, is an anti-piracy theatre and not a BIMSTEC space. Option D is wrong because the South China Sea lies beyond the grouping's area of focus. The exercise also underlines the position of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands astride critical sea lanes.
Read the full article: First BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise in Bay of Bengal
Practice Questions
Which of the following countries is NOT a member of BIMSTEC taking part in the inaugural Maritime Security Exercise?
- A.Bhutan
- B.Nepal
- C.Maldives
- D.Thailand
Show answer
The exercise brings together the seven BIMSTEC member states, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, and the Maldives is not among them.
Read the full explanation →Which is India's first integrated tri-service command, whose role the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise highlights?
- A.Strategic Forces Command
- B.Andaman and Nicobar Command
- C.Western Naval Command
- D.Central Air Command
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It is India's first integrated tri-service command, which means the Army, the Navy and the Air Force operate there under a single commander instead of separate service chains.
Read the full explanation →The inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise builds on the outcomes of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which was held under which theme?
- A.BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open
- B.Shared Seas, Shared Security and Shared Prosperity
- C.Translating Vision to Action
- D.One Bay, One Future
Show answer
The correct answer is BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open, the theme of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, whose outcomes the exercise is designed to carry forward in practice.
Read the full explanation →What does the acronym MAHASAGAR stand for in the context of India's maritime outlook?
- A.Maritime Alliance for Harbour Access, Security and Regional Growth
- B.Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions
- C.Maritime Assistance and Humanitarian Action for Secure and Green Areas
- D.Multilateral Harbour and Sea Guard Agreement for Regions
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This is the vision the Indian Navy advances through deployments and port calls such as the visit of INS Tarkash to Port Louis, where joint training with the Mauritius Coast Guard, community outreach and participation in a national commemoration all serve the same purpose.
Read the full explanation →Aapravasi Diwas in Mauritius commemorates the arrival of the first indentured labourers from India in which year?
- A.1810
- B.1834
- C.1857
- D.1901
Show answer
The first batch of indentured labourers from India stepped ashore at Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis on 2 November of that year, and Mauritius has marked the date every year since; the observance in 2026 is the 192nd.
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