Indian Naval Ship (INS) Saryu, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel, is undertaking coordinated patrol (CORPAT) with Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Bung Tomo last weekend. The 36th edition of CORPAT between India and Indonesia will also witness the participation of Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both nations. The exercise, being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, highlights the high degree of mutual trust and confidence, synergy and cooperation between the two friendly navies.
India and Indonesia have been carrying out Coordinated Patrols along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) twice a year since 2002, to keep this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping, international trade and conduct of legitimate maritime activities. CORPATs help build understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitate the institution of measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, mari-time terrorism, armed robbery and piracy.
As part of the Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean Region to enhance maritime security in the region. India and Indonesia have traditionally enjoyed a close and friendly rela-tionship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which have strengthened over the years. Maritime interactions have been growing steadily between the two navies with frequent port visits, bilat-eral exercises and training exchanges. The 36th edition of India-Indonesia CORPAT seeks to bolster the maritime cooperation between the two navies and forge strong bonds of friendship across the Indo Pa-cific.