Third Edition of Bilateral Maritime Exercise between Royal Australian and Indian Navies – AUSINDEX-19 set to begin

Third Edition of Bilateral Maritime Exercise between Royal Australian and Indian Navies – AUSINDEX-19 set to begin

1. The third edition of AUSINDEX (Australia India Exercise) has commenced off the coast of Vishakhapatnam. AUSINDEX is a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The focus of the 3^rdAUSINDEX is on anti-submarine warfare.
2. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen and enhance mutual cooperation and interoperability between the Indian navy and Royal Australian Navy. The exercise provides opportunities for interaction and exchange of professional views between the personnel of the two navies.
3. The first edition of AUSINDEX was held in 2015 at Visakhapatnam. Australia hosted the second edition of the exercise off Freemantle in 2017.
4. AUSINDEX also underscores India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). It aims to ensure free, open and inclusive Indian Ocean Region
5. The concept of SAGAR was put forward by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2015 Mauritius visit. The different elements of SAGAR include a) enhancing capacities to safeguard land and maritime territories and interests, b) strengthening economic and security cooperation in the littoral, c) promoting collective action to deal with natural disasters and maritime threats e.g. Piracy, d) enhancing collaboration for sustainable regional development and e) building greater trust and promoting respect for maritime rules, norms and peaceful resolution of disputes