The exercise brought together 254 participants from 26 countries

NEW DELHI: A four-day multinational maritime security training engagement, Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, commenced at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi on Monday. Hosted by the Indian Navy’s Southern Naval Command, the engagement is being conducted under the aegis of the Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154), in partnership with Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), and has brought together 254 participants from 26 countries, supported by 74 facilitators and four international organisations, and Subject Matter Experts.The exercise marks the maiden conduct of Operation Southern Readiness in India and represents an important milestone in the growing engagement between the Indian Navy and CMF.CTF 154, CMF’s dedicated Training Task Force, is currently commanded by the Indian Navy and is focused on strengthening capacity, interoperability and professional readiness of CMF partner nations through multinational maritime training.The opening day, broadly themed around the subject of ship management and special training, combined professional interaction with subject matter experts and practical exposure. A session by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) addressed maritime security threats in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean.Over the next three days, participants will continue with a diverse programme of professional sessions, simulator-based training and practical activities covering key aspects of contemporary maritime security. The engagement reflects the Indian Navy-CMF partnership in advancing regional capacity building, interoperability, and collective maritime security while promoting professional exchange and stronger relationships among participating nations.Conduct of Operation Southern Readiness by the Southern Naval Command further augments the role of the Indian Navy as the preferred security and training partner in the region.