This would be the first submarine of Myanmar's Navy, that has increased collaboration with the Indian Navy in recent years. Cooperation in the marine area is part of our more comprehensive engagement with Myanmar. In this regard, India would provide a kilo class submarine, INS Sindhuvir, to the Myanmar Navy, said Anurag Srivastava, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, at a media conference. The statement came only days after Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla visited Myanmar for two days, meeting with the country's senior military and political commanders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar is one of India's critical neighbors, sharing a 1,640-kilometer border with many northeastern states, notably militancy-ravaged Nagaland and Manipur. Both parties have increased their marine security cooperation in recent years. The Kilo-class refers to diesel-electric assault submarines conceived and built in the former Soviet Union. Staff discussions, joint working group meetings on maritime cooperation, and other operational engagements such as port visits, coordinated patrols, and bilateral drills are all part of the Indian Navy's frequent interactions with the Myanmarese Navy.