India, Bangladesh Navies to hold Bilateral Exercise Bongosagar from today

New Delhi, Oct 3: In yet another bilateral exercise, the Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy are scheduled to take part in the second edition of the Indian Navy (IN) - Bangladesh Navy (BN) Bilateral Exercise Bongosagar commencing in Northern Bay of Bengal from today.

 

 

Exercise Bongosagar and 3rd edition of IN - BN Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) will be undertaken over three days and reflects the priority that the Indian Navy accords to Bangladesh Navy as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).

 

 

Bongosagar exercise is aimed at developing inter-operability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations. In this edition ships from both navies will participate in surface warfare drills, seamanship evolutions, and helicopter operations. This edition assumes greater significance since it is being conducted during Mujib Barsho, the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

 

Following this exercise, both the navies will participate in CORPAT in Northern Bay of Bengal from 4-5 October, wherein IN and BN units will undertake joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The conduct of CORPATs has strengthened understanding between both the navies and instituted measures to stop the conduct of unlawful activities.

 

From the Indian side, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan, an indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette, and INS Khukri, an indigenously built Guided-Missile Corvette are participating along with Bangladesh Naval Ship (BNS) Abu Bakr, a Guided-Missile Frigate and BNS Prottoy, a Guided-Missile Corvette. In addition to this, Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies and integral helicopters would also be participating in the exercise.

 

"India and Bangladesh have a close, long-standing relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which has strengthened over the years. The people of India and Bangladesh also share close cultural bonds and a shared vision of democratic society and a rules-based order," a statement from Defence Ministry said.

 

In the last few months, India has been engaged with naval drills with various countries, the recent one being with Japan. India and Japan conducted a three-day Maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX held in the North Arabian Sea from 26 to 28 September. Meanwhile, India conducted an exercise with Australia in the Indian Ocean. The Royal Australian Navy and Indian Navy warships completed two-day (23 and 24 September 2020) Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the east Indian Ocean region.