38th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT)

Context

The 38th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy Units of Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) and Indonesian Navy is being conducted from June 13 to 24 2022 in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.  

Key-highlights

• The 38th CORPAT is the first post-pandemic Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) between the two countries.
• The Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with the countries in the Indian Ocean Region for coordinated patrols, cooperation in Exclusive Economic Zone surveillance, passage exercises, and bilateral/multilateral exercises as part of the Government of India's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
  • The primary goal is to improve regional maritime security.
• Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both countries will take part in the exercise.

What is CORPAT?

• Since 2002, the two navies have conducted CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line twice a year to strengthen maritime ties.

Significance

• This has helped build understanding and interoperability between both the Navies.
• Also, it has facilitated measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy, etc.
• The IND-INDO CORPAT contributes to forging strong bonds of friendship across the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.

Aim

• Its goal is to make the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping, international trade, and legal maritime operations.
• CORPATs aid in the understanding and interoperability of navies, as well as the establishment of measures to prevent and suppress drug trafficking, Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, maritime terrorism, armed robbery, and piracy.

About India – Indonesia Defence Relation

• India – Indonesia commences soon after independence of both countries in 1951.
• The first Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defence between the two countries was signed in 2001 and ratified by the Indonesian parliament in Dec 2006 that lasted till 2016.
• The new Defence Cooperation Agreement with emphasis on exchange of strategic information sharing and cooperation in science and technology security was signed in 2018.