Strengthening Bilateral Maritime Partnership
Strengthening Indo-Pacific Ties through Samudra Shakti 2025: India and Indonesia commenced the 5th edition of the Samudra Shakti Naval Exercise at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, from October 14–17, 2025. This joint initiative underscores the deepening maritime cooperation between the two nations under India’s Act East Policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
The exercise, launched in 2018, has become a vital component of the Indo-Pacific security architecture, aimed at improving operational coordination, mutual trust, and strategic partnership.
Static GK fact: Visakhapatnam serves as the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), one of India’s three main naval commands.
Phases of Samudra Shakti 2025
The exercise unfolds in two primary segments — the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase, combining diplomacy with tactical readiness.
Harbour Phase
Conducted at the Visakhapatnam port, the Harbour Phase features cross-deck visits, joint yoga sessions, friendly sports events, and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE). These interactions enhance mutual understanding, standardize operational procedures, and build professional camaraderie among naval officers.
Sea Phase
The Sea Phase focuses on high-intensity tactical operations, including helicopter exercises, air defence drills, Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations, and weapon firing. This phase improves readiness for anti-piracy, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response missions, key to maintaining peace and stability in regional waters.
Static GK Tip: VBSS operations are crucial for countering maritime piracy and smuggling across international sea lanes.
Platforms and Participants
India is represented by the INS Kavaratti, an indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette, part of the Eastern Fleet. The vessel showcases India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence production.
Indonesia participates with the KRI John Lie, a Corvette-class ship equipped with an integral helicopter, expanding its surveillance and operational reach. The deployment of these advanced platforms highlights the growing technological parity and commitment between both navies.
Static GK fact: INS Kavaratti was commissioned into the Indian Navy in October 2020 and named after one of the Lakshadweep Islands.
Strategic Significance
The Indo-Pacific region holds nearly 60% of global trade routes, making its stability crucial to global commerce. The Samudra Shakti series reinforces shared maritime interests, enhances cooperation for sea lane protection, and strengthens India-Indonesia’s position as responsible maritime powers.
The exercise also contributes to the regional security framework that counters threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, and natural disaster crises.
Static GK fact: Indonesia’s naval headquarters is located in Jakarta, the capital city situated on the island of Java.
Evolution of the Exercise
The first Samudra Shakti exercise took place in Surabaya, Indonesia, in 2018, while the fourth edition was held in the South China Sea in 2023. Over the years, the exercise has expanded in scope and complexity, reflecting the dynamic geopolitical environment of the Indo-Pacific.
Each successive edition reinforces the nations’ shared commitment to regional peace, maritime capacity building, and defence diplomacy.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Strengthening Indo-Pacific Ties through Samudra Shakti 2025:
| Topic | Detail |
| Exercise Name | Samudra Shakti 2025 |
| Edition | 5th |
| Venue | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| Duration | October 14–17, 2025 |
| Participating Countries | India and Indonesia |
| Indian Ship | INS Kavaratti (ASW Corvette) |
| Indonesian Ship | KRI John Lie (Corvette-class) |
| First Edition | 2018, Surabaya, Indonesia |
| Fourth Edition | 2023, South China Sea |
| Objective | Strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability |
