Indian Navy holds exercise with Russia in Bay of Bengal

Indian and Russian navies on Friday began their biennial maritime exercise Indra Navy 2020 in the Bay of Bengal. Initiated in 2003, Indra Navy exercise reflects the long- term strategic relationship between the two navies.

The naval exercise between India and Russia is being conducted at a time when India is engaged in a tense military stand- off with China at Ladakh.

The Indian Navy is being represented by guided missile destroyer Ranvijay, and fleet tanker Shakti, along with their integral helicopters. Indigenous frigate

Sahyadri which was also to participate in the exercise has been currently redeployed to provide assistance to crude oil tanker MT New Diamond, which has caught fire off the coast of Sri Lanka.

The Russian Federation Navy will be represented by destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, destroyer Admiral Tributs and fleet tanker Boris Butoma of the Pacific Fleet, based at Vladivostok.

Whilst the exercise is being undertaken in the Bay of Bengal, defence minister Rajnath Singh is on a visit to Moscow from Thursday on the invitation of Defence Minister of the Russian Federation,

General Sergei Shoigu to discuss bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest and commemoration of the 75th anniversary of victory in World War II.

The Indra exercise has matured over the years with increase in scope, complexity of operations, and level of participation. The primary aim of exercise Indra is to further consolidate inter- operability built up by the two navies over the years and also to enhance understanding and procedures for multifaceted maritime operations. The scope of this edition includes wide- ranging and diverse activities across the spectrum of maritime operations.