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Joint patrolling of Andaman Sea

P. S. Suryanarayana

To counter piracy, smuggling and other crimes

SINGAPORE : The Indian Navy and its Indonesian counterpart are engaged in a three-week patrolling of the Andaman Sea to counter piracy, smuggling and other trans-national crimes.

The latest round of patrolling is part of the maritime operations that began in September 2002 following the signing of a navy-level bilateral protocol.

Scheduled to conclude ceremonially at Port Blair later this month, the current patrolling is also punctuated by a joint naval exercise aimed at improving "interoperability" between the two forces. Two Indian Navy vessels, a landing ship and a fast-attack craft, as also an Indonesian corvette were pressed into service.

First Admiral Budi Suyitno, Commander of Indonesian Navy's Western Sea Security Task Group, and Commodore A.V.S. Ramesh, Naval Office in Charge (Port Blair), flagged off vessels for the patrol.

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