Port Blair, Mar 19: Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Sultan Thaha Syaifuddin and Maritime Patrol Aircraft CN-235 led by Commodore Dafit Santoso arrived today at Port Blair for the Opening Ceremony of 33rd edition of the India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT).
IND-INDO CORPAT will be held from 19th March to 4th April 2019. Ambassador of Indonesia to India, Mr. Shidharto Raza Suryodipuro will also visit Port Blair to attend the Opening Ceremony. On arrival, he will call on Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, AVSM, ADC, Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command.
The Indian delegation will be led by Commodore Ashutosh Ridhorkar, VSM, Naval Component Commander, Andaman and Nicobar Command and will include Indian Naval Ship Kesari and Indian Naval Maritime Patrol Aircraft Dornier of Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC).
During the opening ceremony in Port Blair, various activities such as sporting fixtures, ship visits and professional interactions have been planned. The ship and aircraft from both the countries would undertake patrolling on the respective sides of 236 nautical miles long International Maritime Boundary line and also participate in the 2nd Bilateral Maritime Exercise in the Andaman Sea. This will be followed by a Closing Ceremony at Belawan, Indonesia, which is scheduled from 01-04 April 2019.
The ceremony also coincides with 70 years of India-Indonesia diplomatic ties and will contribute towards Indian Navy’s efforts to consolidate inter-operability and forge strong bonds of friendship across the seas. The two Navies have been regularly carrying out CORPAT twice a year since 2002 that seeks to underscore India’s peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly Maritime neighbouring countries to ensure good order in the maritime domain.