India and Indonesia are currently conducting the 35th edition of the India-Indonesia Coordinator Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT). The joint naval exercises, which are being held along the International Maritime Boundary Lines, started yesterday and are expected to conclude today.
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kulish, a domestically-manufactured missile corvette, and the P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) are expected to participate in this exercise along with Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Cut Nyak Dien, a Kapitan Pattimura (Parchim I) class corvette and an MPA of the Indonesian Navy.
CORPATs have been taking place since 2002. According to the Indian Navy, the aim of the joint patrols is to ensure the safety and security of shipping and international trade in the region and further enhance “understanding and interoperability between navies”. Further, they facilitate measures to prevent and crack down on Illegal, Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery, and piracy.
These exercises are part of the Indian government's Mission SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region). To achieve its mission of regional maritime security cooperation, the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with navies of its maritime neighbours for “coordinated patrols, cooperation in EEZ surveillance, Passage exercises, and bilateral/multilateral exercises” and other security measures. Last month, India participated in joint naval exercises with fellow Quad members Japan, Australia, and the United States.
New Delhi and Jakarta have enjoyed historically warm relations and have recently decided to swap the presidency of the G20 forum. New Delhi will now chair the meeting in 2023, while Indonesia will do so in 2022. Further, the Indo-Pacific neighbours have strengthened cooperation through their Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings, through which they regularly discuss matters of mutual importance. In a recent JWG meeting, the two decided on the timely exchange of intelligence on drug seizure cases, illegal entry, and exit points of illicit drug trafficking on their maritime border. The next round, which will be the fifth of the JWG series, will be held in India in 2021. The joint naval exercises could be crucial for training the navies of both countries to strengthen their ability to crack down on illicit activities in open waters.
India and Indonesia to Conclude Joint Naval Exercises Today
India and Indonesia's naval forces are conducting the 35th edition of the India-Indonesia Coordinator Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) exercises. Today is the second day of the two-day event.
December 18, 2020
SOURCE: INDIAN NAVY