Article Posted on : - May 10, 2017

Naval platforms docked at a habour for the CORPAT exercise. A PIB photo/Twitter

NEW DELHI (PTI): In tune with enhanced bilateral maritime cooperation, the navies of India and Indonesia on Tuesday began a 17-day coordinated patrol and joint exercise.

The joint exercise is being conducted at Port Blair under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.

"Apart from securing the trade sea route, the coordinated patrol also serves to enhance mutual understanding and inter-operability between the two navies," the Indian Navy said in a statement.

The two navies have been carrying out Coordinated Patrols (CORPAT) for over a decade.

"The CORPAT reflects the shared concerns between the two countries for a peaceful Indian Ocean for the benefit of the international community," the Navy said.

Defence relations between India and Indonesia have been growing steadily with regular joint activities and exchanges of personnel between the armed forces of the two countries.

Under the broad ambit of this strategic partnership, Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) and the Indian Navy have been carrying out coordinated patrolling twice a year since 2002.