India-EU naval exercise in Indian Ocean on June 1-3

NEW DELHI: India and the European Union (EU) will conduct a joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean from June 1-3. The exercise will focus on advanced counter-piracy operations, interoperability, tactical manoeuvres, and enhanced communication protocols, reflecting the growing maritime security cooperation between the two sides.

This is in line with their shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region, the EU has said. "It is underpinned by the respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, democracy, rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, notably the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),'' it said in a statement.

"The exercise will involve Indian Navy ships and two frigates of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATLANTA," it added.