India and Thailand on Monday decided to step up defense and security cooperation, particularly in the maritime sphere, considering the evolving security situation in the critical sea lanes in the region, officials said as quoted by the Press Trust of India. On the pretext of combating terrorism, India and Thailand carried out a two week-long military exercise earlier this month with officials citing the need to improve inter-operability and coordination. Located within close proximity of each other’s extended neighborhood, the two countries have been shaped by centuries of deep-rooted historical and cultural connections, writes Arenla Jamir for The Diplomat.