The joint patrol will also see both navies using Maritime Patrol Aircraft

The Indian Navy and the Bangladesh Navy have begun the fourth edition of their two-day (May 22-23) Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) exercise in the Northern Bay of Bengal, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Sunday.

Two indigenously built IN Ships - Kora, a guided-missile corvette and Sumedha, an offshore patrol vessel are participating in the exercise along with Bangladesh Navy Ships BNS Ali Haider and BNS Abu Ubaidah, the Ministry said.

The joint patrolling which is being held along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), will see both navies using Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The regular conduct of CORPATs has strengthened mutual understanding and enhanced interoperability between both the navies in countering transnational maritime threats at sea, the Ministry said.

India has excellent defence cooperation with Bangladesh. In recent years, both have signed defence-related agreements. The two countries undertake joint military exercises on a regular basis besides investing in capacity building.

Bangladesh will import defence equipment from India under the US $500 million Line of Credit provided by New Delhi.