Indian boats begin expedition involving BIMSTEC countries

In the run up to a planned sailing expedition involving countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), two Indian Navy boats have begun a three-month journey.

This would be the maiden major mixed crew sailing expedition of the Indian Navy with a composition of five naval officers including two women officers in the vessels -- Mhadei and Tarini, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The boats embarked on the expedition from Goa yesterday and "would make replenishment halts at the ports of Phuket, Yangon, Chittagong, and Colombo wherein interaction with various state officials would be conducted including harbour sorties for visiting dignitaries," an official statement said.

Each of the vessels will cover a distance of 6,100 nautical miles and will be at the sea for 55 days.

The expedition would showcase harnessing of wind energy to propel the two boats besides aiming to enhance the level of cooperation and camaraderie between the littoral countries in the Bay of Bengal, the statement said.

Mhadei and Tarini have taken part in various sailing expeditions, including three circumnavigations.

BIMSTEC constitutes seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka from South Asia and Myanmar and Thailand from Southeast Asia.