New Delhi (NVI): Australian Defence Force is working with its close regional partner India to enhance interoperability and deepen engagement under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) for a secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific, the Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said today.
“The @RoyalAustralianNavy joined the Indian Navy for a range of activities in the Northeast Indian Ocean. #YourADF is working with our close regional partner to enhance interoperability and deepen engagement under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Linda said in a tweet while sharing two images from the recently concluded two-day Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the east Indian Ocean region.
The @RoyalAustralianNavy joined the Indian Navy for a range of activities in the Northeast Indian Ocean. #YourADF is working with our close regional partner to enhance interoperability and deepen engagement under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. ???? pic.twitter.com/QmT8C91ZMO
— Linda Reynolds (@lindareynoldswa) September 28, 2020
The exercise, conducted from September 23 to 24 in IOR involved participation of HMAS Hobart from the Australian side and Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Karmuk.
The naval exercise was aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding and imbibing best practices from each other. It involved advanced surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firing, seamanship exercises, naval manoeuvres and Cross Deck Flying Operations.
“Royal Australian Navy and Indian Navy warships completed 2 day Passage Exercise (PASSEX). Seamanship evolutions, weapon drills and cross deck flying undertaken. High degree of interoperability and jointness were further reinforced,” the Indian Navy had said in a press statement.
The Australian Defence Minister today highlighted the increasing momentum of defence exercises between Australia and India and said the engagement provided both nations with an opportunity to practice a range of naval activities, including combined manoeuvres and surface warfare serials.
“Our Defence relationship with India is at a historic high point after the Prime Ministers’ Virtual Summit earlier this year, and I look forward to further developing our comprehensive partnership into the future,” Linda was quoted as saying by Defence Connect.
The engagement bears significance, especially amid the India-China faceoff and Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) was signed by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and PM Narendra Modi in June 2020.
