Context: Recently, the Exercise Konkan 2021 was held between INS Tabar and HMS Westminster on 16 Aug 21 in the English Channel.
Note: English Channel is located between the Isle of Great Britain’s southern coast and France’s northern coast and separated from the North Sea on the north by the Strait of Dover.
About Exercise Konkan

• It is an annual maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Navy of United Kingdom.
• It had commenced in 2004.
• It is a long-running exercise designed to test the ability of the two Commonwealth navies to operate side-by-side during war and other crunch scenarios.
• The exercise typically takes place off the namesake Konkan stretch of coastline in India which is running for 450 miles along the Western Seaboard and encompassing Mumbai and Goa.

Significance of Exercise Konkan

• It aims to promote mutual understanding and provide exposure to operating procedures, communication measures and best practices.
• It allows both Navies to develop greater confidence to operate together during maritime missions.
• It is a tangible symbol of the commitment of both nations in ensuring a positive climate at sea for enhancing strategic stability and promoting economic prosperity.