The inaugural bilateral maritime exercise between India and Australia, AUSINDEX15, has commenced, with an opening ceremony held in Visakhapatnam, India, on 12 September.
Building on the personal relationship of Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Abbott, the Minister for Defence, the Honourable Kevin Andrews MP, recently visited India to further develop, with his counterpart Minster Manohar Parrikar, the Framework for Security Cooperation.
The maritime exercise is a tangible sign that will strengthen defence co-operation between the two countries as envisaged in the Framework for Security Co-operation announced by the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers in 2014.
Three Royal Australian Navy ships and a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C have made the passage to India for the inaugural biennial exercise. HMA Ships Sirius, Arunta and Sheehan will train with Indian Navy Ships Shivalik, Ranvijayi and Shakti, along with P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft during the week-long activity.
The exercise will start with briefings and practical demonstrations ashore, before progressing to sea.
AUSINDEX15 is being held in waters off Visakhapatnam, India until late September.
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Image: Australian Navy