Exercise ‘Bongosagar’

Exercise ‘Bongosagar’- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: International Relations- India and its neighbourhood- relations.
GS Paper 3: Security- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Recently, the third edition of Indian Navy (IN)- Bangladesh Navy (BN) Bilateral Exercise ‘Bongosagar’ commenced at Port Mongla, Bangladesh.
The Harbour Phase of ‘Bongosagar’ exercise is scheduled from 24-25 May which will be followed by a Sea Phase in the Northern Bay of Bengal from 26-27 May.

About: Exercise ‘Bongosagar’ is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Bangladesh. ‘Bongosagar’ began in 2019.
Background: the first edition of Ex ‘Bongosagar’ was held in 2019 in Bangladesh. The second edition of ‘Bongosagar’ Exercise was held in 2020 in Northern Bay of Bengal.
Mandate: Exercise ‘Bongosagar’ is aimed at developing a high degree of interoperability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations between the two navies.
Participation: Indian Naval Ships Kora, an indigenously built Guided Missile Corvette, and Sumedha, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel are participating in the Exercise.
- Bangladesh Navy is being represented by BNS Abu Ubaidah and Ali Haider, both Guided Missile Frigates.
Key Events: Ex ‘Bongosagar’ 2022 will be conducted in following two phases-
- Harbour Phase: It includes professional and social interactions, and friendly sporting fixtures, in addition to the tactical level planning discussions on the conduct of the exercises at sea.
- Sea Phase: It would facilitate ships from both the navies to participate in intensive surface warfare drills, weapon firing drills, seamanship evolutions and coordinated air operations in a tactical scenario.

Promoting Mutual Trust and Cooperation: Exercise ‘Bongosagar’ will promote cooperation and mutual trust between the two countries.
SAGAR Initiative: Exercise ‘Bongosagar’ shows the importance India accords to the Bangladesh as part of the SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) Vision.
Strengthening close cultural bonds and a shared vision of democratic society and a rules-based order between India and Bangladesh.

shivam