Indonesian navy docks in Australia despite diplomatic tensions

Two Indonesian navy ships have docked in Darwin as part of an annual joint maritime security operation despite strained diplomatic tensions.

The Australia-Indonesia coordinated maritime patrol (AUSINDO COPRAT) is designed to improve coordinated maritime security between Australian and Indonesia's armed forces along the shared maritime boundaries, Australia's national broadcaster reported Thursday.

AUSINDO COPRAT started in 2010, however this year's operation marks the first time it has been held since 2013 where - along with several other bilateral military exercises - it was canceled following the wiretapping scandal involving former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

In the past, the activity has targeted illegal fishermen in the two countries' maritime zones, however it is designed to target any illegal activities.

The exercise starts in eastern Indonesia with the two countries undertaking a range of training exercises before concluding the operation in Darwin.

University of Melbourne's Director for the Center for Indonesian Law, Professor Tim Lindsey, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the fact the exercise is going ahead is good news.

"It suggests that whatever may happen at the peak government to government level, there are relationships between government agencies and defense forces that are still resilient," Lindsey said.

Australian-Indonesian relations have been strained over the past few months following the executions of two convicted Australian drug smugglers in Indonesia. Endi