Joint naval exercises will be conducted by India and Russia in the Indian ocean on January next year. The India-Russia naval exercises called Indra will focus on practising cooperative engagement to enforce maritime law and counter piracy, terrorism, and drug smuggling. The fourth biennial Indo-Russian naval exercises will help the marine forces of both the nations to sharing each other's technology and expertise.

 

According to a statement issued by the Russia's Pacific Fleet, a task force of the fleet, led by the Varyag missile cruiser, will leave for the Indian Ocean in December to participate in joint drills with the Indian navy. Another Russian fleet led by the Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered missile cruiser will also join the joint exercises. Besides the joint drills, the Russian warships are likely to pay friendly visits to several ports in India and China.

 

The Russian warships will also be involved in several live-firing drills besides conducting various long-range training sorties in the South Pacific and Indian oceans. The joint drills by Indian and Russian naval forces will help to sort out several problems including piracy which stands out to be major obstacle in the conveyance of several cargo vessels and other ships. Russia has decided to sent its naval forces to different parts of the world to share and gain expertise.