India begins cooperation with Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces

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India began cooperation with Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 

Background 

• In April 2022, during the India-US 2+2 talks, India announced that it would join the CMF as an associate partner to strengthen cooperation in regional security in the western Indian Ocean.

• In July 2022, India formally commenced cooperation with the Joint Maritime Force (CMF), a multilateral partnership based in Bahrain.

What are Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)?

• The CMF is a multinational naval partnership to promote security, stability and prosperity in the approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which include some of the world's most important shipping lanes.

• The Group of 34 Nations is commanded by a Vice Admiral of the US Navy, who also serves as Commander US Naval Forces Centcom and US Fifth Fleet.

• All three commands are co-located in US Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Pakistan is a full member of the CMF.

• India is the 35th member of this group.

• It consists of four task forces -

1. CTF 150 (maritime security and counter-terrorism)

2. CTF 151 (counter-piracy)

3. CTF 152 (Arabian Gulf security and cooperation)

4. CTF 153 (Maritime security in the Red Sea & Gulf of Aden

Significance of CMF

• Curb illegal fishing

• Counter-piracy

• Counter-terrorism

• Protection of trade routes

About Bahrain

• Prime Minister - Salman ibn Hamad Al Khalifah

• Capital - Manama

• Official Language - Arabic

• Official Religion - Islam

• Currency - Bahraini Dinars