Bangladesh has joined India and 70 other countries in a large-scale international naval exercise hosted by India. The Bangladesh Navy sent its frigate warship ‘Somudra Avijan’, which arrived in India on 16 February. Other participating nations include Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The Indonesian Navy’s frigate KRI Bung Tomo-357, the UAE’s warship Al Emarat, and India’s INS Vikrant also took part in the exercise.

Before the exercise began, Indian President Droupadi Murmu stated that the event symbolizes the trust, unity, and respect of various nations toward maritime heritage. She emphasized that ships flying different flags and sailors from diverse countries reflect a spirit of unity. The theme of the exercise is “maritime unity,” and Murmu said the combined naval forces’ determination can overcome all obstacles, sending a positive message to the global community.

The exercise highlights growing multilateral cooperation in maritime security and shared commitment among participating nations to strengthen regional and global naval ties.