India and Indonesia Strengthen Maritime Ties through ‘Samudra Shakti-2025’

The initial Harbour Phase of the exercise includes a range of confidence-building and professional exchange activities designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen mutual understanding.

The Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) have commenced the fifth edition of the bilateral maritime exercise ‘Samudra Shakti – 2025’ at Visakhapatnam, a key Eastern Naval Command base, from 14th to 17th October 2025. This joint exercise represents another milestone in the growing maritime cooperation between India and Indonesia, two major maritime democracies committed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indian Navy’s INS Kavaratti, an advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette, is participating in the exercise, while the Indonesian Navy is represented by the KRI John Lie, a Corvette equipped with an integral helicopter. The Indonesian ship was accorded a warm ceremonial welcome upon its arrival at Visakhapatnam, symbolizing the long-standing maritime friendship between the two nations.

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Harbour Phase: Building Trust and Maritime Camaraderie

The initial Harbour Phase of the exercise includes a range of confidence-building and professional exchange activities designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen mutual understanding. Activities include:

• Cross Deck Visits to promote understanding of operational procedures and ship systems.

• Joint Yoga Sessions, underscoring shared cultural values and wellness traditions.

• Friendly Sports Fixtures, fostering camaraderie and teamwork among naval personnel.

• Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), focusing on professional topics such as maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare tactics, and maritime law enforcement operations.

These engagements not only enhance professional interactions but also strengthen people-to-people ties, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation during the subsequent Sea Phase.

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Sea Phase: Enhancing Tactical Coordination and Maritime Readiness

The Sea Phase of ‘Samudra Shakti – 2025’ will feature complex and dynamic maritime operations designed to test and refine interoperability in real-time scenarios. Both navies will engage in joint drills such as:

• Helicopter Operations and Cross-Deck Landings to improve coordination in air-sea integration.

• Air Defence Exercises, simulating responses to aerial threats.

• Weapon Firing Drills to demonstrate combat readiness and precision.

• Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations to enhance maritime security and counter-piracy capabilities.

These exercises highlight the ability of both navies to operate cohesively across diverse maritime domains, reinforcing their shared vision of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.

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Strengthening Bilateral Naval Cooperation

Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’, first initiated in 2018, serves as a vital bilateral maritime engagement between India and Indonesia. Over the years, the exercise has evolved in scale, complexity, and operational focus—reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.

The exercise forms part of a broader series of India’s bilateral and multilateral naval initiatives such as MILAN, Malabar, and IND-INDO CORPAT, aimed at bolstering maritime security cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities in the region.

India and Indonesia share extensive maritime boundaries in the Andaman Sea and eastern Indian Ocean, making their partnership critical to maintaining the security of vital sea lanes of communication (SLOCs). Both countries also play a pivotal role in advancing the ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation Framework and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

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A Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific

Through Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti – 2025’, both navies reaffirm their commitment to the principles of freedom of navigation, respect for international maritime law, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. The exercise underscores the joint resolve to combat transnational threats, including piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, and other maritime challenges that affect regional stability.

This collaboration aligns closely with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum policy—both emphasizing cooperation, connectivity, and shared prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.

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Deepening Maritime Friendship

The fifth edition of ‘Samudra Shakti’ exemplifies the growing synergy between the Indian and Indonesian navies. As both nations continue to expand their cooperation through joint training, coordinated patrols, and technological collaboration, the exercise stands as a symbol of trust, partnership, and shared responsibility in safeguarding the maritime commons.

By strengthening interoperability and mutual understanding, ‘Samudra Shakti – 2025’ not only enhances naval capabilities but also fortifies the broader vision of an inclusive, resilient, and secure Indo-Pacific region.