The India-Bangladesh naval exercise 'Bongosagar 2025' and a 'Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)' took place in the Bay of Bengal this week, featuring the participation of INS Ranvir from the Indian Navy and BNS Abu Ubaidah from the Bangladesh Navy.
According to the Indian Navy, the exercise aimed to strengthen interoperability, enabling both navies to collaborate effectively in addressing shared maritime security challenges.
The drills included several advanced operations such as surface firing, tactical manoeuvres, underway replenishment, Visit-Board-Search-Seizure (VBSS) cross boarding, communication exercises, quiz on professional topics for Ops team and Junior officers, and steam past, as per the statement released by the Indian Navy.
"The exercise provided the opportunity for both navies to develop closer links in tactical planning, coordination and information sharing for undertaking seamless maritime operations," according to the Indian Navy.
Growing Synergy Between Both Nations' Navies
It also bolsters coordination and confidence between the navies of both nations, which will improve the ability to undertake joint operations and respond swiftly to emerging threats at sea.
The growing synergy between the Indian and Bangladesh navies reflects their shared commitment to countering global security threats and fostering stability in the region, aligning with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
The Bongosagar exercise is designed to develop high-level interoperability and operational expertise through a broad spectrum of maritime operations. Additionally, the Indian and Bangladesh navies conducted the 4th edition of Bongosagar-23 and the 5th edition of CORPAT in the Northern Bay of Bengal from November 7-9, as per the Ministry of Defence.
During these joint operations, ships and aircraft from both navies patrolled the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaged in coordinated maritime exercises to further enhance cooperation.
The exercise saw participation from Indian Navy ships Kuthar, Kiltan, and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier, alongside Bangladesh Navy ships Abu Bakr, Abu Ubaidah, and their MPA.