Important Bilateral Naval Exercises of India

India’s bilateral naval exercises are an important part of its maritime diplomacy and Indo-Pacific security outreach. They help the Indian Navy build interoperability, refine tactical coordination, and strengthen cooperation with partner navies on issues such as sea-lane security, anti-piracy, search and rescue, and maritime domain awareness.

Strategic Framework for India’s Maritime Partnerships

• SAGAR doctrine: Formulated in 2015, Security and Growth for All in the Region remains the broad framework for India’s maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean Region.
• MAHASAGAR initiative: Maritime Security and Growth for All in the Region guides India’s high-level maritime cooperation and security interactions with regional partners.
• IFC-IOR: The Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region at Gurugram, established in December 2018, supports maritime domain awareness and information sharing.
• Purpose of drills: These exercises test operational capability, improve communication, and allow navies to exchange best practices in real operating conditions.
• Exercise structure: Most drills include a Harbour Phase for professional exchanges and planning, followed by a Sea Phase for tactical manoeuvres and live operational training.

Major Bilateral Naval Exercises with Global Powers

• Varuna (France): Started in 1993 and officially named Varuna in 2001, this is one of India’s most important naval exercises. It usually involves carrier operations, air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime patrol aircraft. The exercise has been conducted in the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
• Konkan (United Kingdom): Conducted with the Royal Navy since 2004, Konkan has been held off the Konkan coast, in the English Channel, and in the Indian Ocean. It focuses on anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and maritime interdiction operations.
• INDRA Navy (Russia): Running since 2003, this exercise emphasises the protection of maritime shipping routes and joint tactical manoeuvring. It has been associated with the Baltic Sea and the Sea of Japan.
• JIMEX (Japan): Begun in 2012 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, JIMEX involves advanced maritime security cooperation, surface warfare drills, and cross-deck helicopter operations.

Naval Engagements with Southeast Asian Partners

• SIMBEX (Singapore): Initiated in 1994, SIMBEX is the longest uninterrupted bilateral naval exercise of the Indian Navy. It includes anti-submarine drills, tactical communications, and live firing in the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea.
• Samudra Shakti (Indonesia): This drill is designed to improve interoperability through helicopter operations, joint weapon firing, and maritime patrol coordination between the two navies.
• Samudra Laksamana (Malaysia): Conducted with the Royal Malaysian Navy, this exercise supports professional exchanges and operational coordination near the Malacca Strait.
• IN-MN Bilateral (Myanmar): This engagement includes coordinated patrols and bilateral maritime drills in the Andaman Sea to help secure maritime boundaries and prevent illegal migration or smuggling.

Exercises with Indian Ocean and West Asian Partners

• SLINEX (Sri Lanka): Active since 2005, SLINEX uses fleet assets, offshore patrol vessels, and special forces to practise humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, and tactical manoeuvres.
• Bongosagar (Bangladesh): Conducted in the northern Bay of Bengal, this exercise features joint boarding operations, communications drills, live-fire surface weapon training, and coordinated patrols.
• Naseem Al Bahr (Oman): Established in 1993, this biennial engagement focuses on anti-piracy tactics and Gulf security patrols in the North Arabian Sea.
• Al-Mohed Al-Hindi (Saudi Arabia): A relatively recent addition to India’s naval cooperation network, this exercise strengthens defence ties through tactical manoeuvres and surface warfare training.

High-value exam point: India’s naval exercises are not only military drills; they are also tools of maritime diplomacy, regional signalling, and operational interoperability.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• Varuna with France and SIMBEX with Singapore are among India’s earliest and most established bilateral naval exercises.
• SAGAR and MAHASAGAR are key policy frameworks shaping India’s maritime outreach in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
• IFC-IOR at Gurugram supports maritime domain awareness through information sharing and coordination with partner countries.
• Harbour Phase generally includes planning, professional exchanges, and tabletop discussions before sea operations begin.
• Sea Phase covers live manoeuvres, tactical drills, communications, and operational training at sea.
• CORPATs are also important alongside full-scale exercises, especially with Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Thailand.
• Indo-Pacific relevance is central to these drills, as they support sea-lane security and cooperation against piracy, smuggling, and other maritime threats.

Recent Context

In September 2026, the fourth edition of Samudra Laksamana (Samudra Laksamana 4/26) was held at Lumut Naval Base in Malaysia. The Indian Navy participated through INS Mysore, a Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer, alongside Royal Malaysian Navy warships KD Lekir and KD Gagah Samudera. The drill aligns with ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026 and MAHASAGAR.