About:

• Exercise Bongosagar of Indian Navy (IN) – Bangladesh Navy (BN) Bilateral Exercise , was first held in 2019, aimed at developing inter-operability and joint operational skills through conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations. 
• In the 2020 edition of Exercise Bongosagar, ships from both navies will participate in surface warfare drills, seamanship evolutions and helicopter operations. 
• This exercise will be followed by the 3rd edition of IN – BN Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) in Northern Bay of Bengal, wherein IN and BN units will undertake joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
• The conduct of CORPATs has strengthened understanding between both the navies and instituted measures to stop the conduct of unlawful activities.
• This edition of Exercise Bongosagar assumes greater significance since it is being conducted during Mujib Barsho, the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman(served as the country’s first president and later as its prime minister).
• Bongosagar and IN – BN Corpat are in line with the government’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).

About the SAGAR Programme (Security and Growth for All in the Region):

• SAGAR is a term coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 during his Mauritius visit with a focus on the blue economy.
• It is a maritime initiative which gives priority to the Indian Ocean region (IOR) for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity of India in the Indian Ocean region..
• Through SAGAR, India seeks to deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours and assist in building their maritime security capabilities.

Why in News?

The second edition of Indian Navy (IN) – Bangladesh Navy (BN) Bilateral Exercise Bongosagar is scheduled to commence in Northern Bay of Bengal on 03 October 2020.

Reference:

1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1661064