It looks at increased cooperation in maritime security, joint exercises, temporary deployment from each other’s naval facilities and mutual logistics support.When asked about details of the pact, Singapore defence minister Ng Eng Hen said: “We will be comfortable and encourage Indian Navy ships to visit the Changi naval base more often. The naval agreement has provision for mutual logistics support.We will exercise and patrol in your waters as do in ours. Because we know it is the lifeline for economies”.He said: “I think I speak on behalf of both countries. The nearest Indian base is in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Changi base will therefore enhance the navy’s operational reach, keeping in mind that the navy from June this year began its Malacca patrol to protect the SLOCs.India has also conducted the SIMBEX exercise with Singapore at the naval base and in the South China Sea.

Source: Economic Times November 29, 2017 18:43 UTC