Bangladesh, India begin naval exercise today

Bangladesh and India will hold the second edition of their 3-day "Bongosagar" naval exercise in the Northern Bay of Bengal on Saturday. 

A coordinated maritime patrol will follow the military exercise by their warships in the region, reports Times of India. 

Bangladesh will participate with BNS Abu Bakr, a guided-missile frigate, and BNS Prottoy, a guided-missile corvette. At the same time, India will deploy INS Kiltan, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, and INS Khukri, a guided-missile corvette, as well as maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters.

"The exercise aims to develop interoperability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a broad spectrum of maritime activities and operations. It will include surface warfare drills, seamanship evolutions, and helicopter operations, among other things, said Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal.

The warships from the two nations will then undertake joint patrolling along the international maritime boundary line. "Conduct of such coordinated patrolling has strengthened the understanding between the two navies, with measures in place to stop the conduct of unlawful activities in the region," he said.

Bangladesh and India held the first edition of the "Bongosagar" naval exercise in October last year.