<span style="color: #222222;">The Bangladesh and US Navies launched the 'Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh-2020' on Wednesday to expand relationships and broaden maritime awareness between the two countries.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">According to a press release issued by the US Embassy in Dhaka, the exercise demonstrates US's continuing commitment to work with the Bangladesh military to address shared maritime security concerns in the region and strengthen partnership to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Speaking during the online inaugural programme, Commander of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG-7) Rear Admiral Fred Kacher said that they will continue to operate with and learn from the Bangladesh Navy.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He further said that the US Navy stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Bangladesh in its commitment to a free and open maritime commons.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Presiding over the opening ceremony, Commander, Bangladesh Navy Fleet Rear Admiral M. Mahbub-Ul Islam said that CARAT has become a unique forum to work with US Navy.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said that mutual cooperation and partnership is essential to make the maritime domain safe.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Historically, the CARAT exercises involve people to people interactions and a variety of professional exchanges.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">These will take place online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The sea-phase of the exercise will take place in the Bay of Bengal with ships from both countries.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The events are designed to enhance interoperability between the two navies.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">US and Bangladesh will work through coordinated deployment of surface ships, to include tactical maneuvers among other activities.</span><br />