India-Bangladesh naval forces to hold exercise bongosagar

The second edition of India-Bangladesh Bilateral Exercise Bongosagar is scheduled to begin on Saturday_ October 3 in the Bay of Bengal. As per an official statement_ the exercise between the two navies aims at fostering inter-operability and joint operational skills with both forces conducting a wide spectrum of joint maritime exercises. According to an official statement by the Indian Navy_ Exercise Bongosagar_ whose first edition was held in 2019_ is aimed at developing inter-operability and joint operational skills through conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations. In the upcoming edition of Exercise Bongosagar_ ships from both navies will participate in surface warfare drills_ seamanship evolutions and helicopter operations_ the Indian Navy said. This exercise will be followed by the third edition of IN-BN Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) in Northern Bay of Bengal from October 4-5_ wherein IN and BN units will undertake joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Conduct of CORPATs has strengthened understanding between both the navies and instituted measures to stop conduct of unlawful activities_ the Indian Navy said. "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 ships_ Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies and integral helicopter(s) would also be participating in the exercise_" the statement read. India and Bangladesh have a close_ long-standing relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions_ which has strengthened over the years. This edition of Exercise Bongosagar assumes greater significance since it is being conducted during Mujib Barsho_ the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Exercise Bongosagar and IN - BN 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).