Kochi: Indian Navy’s INS Sharda conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS De Ruyter off the coast of Kochi on Friday.The exercise marked the culmination of the visit of a high-level Netherlands delegation led by deputy commander of Royal Netherlands Navy to Southern Naval Command. PASSEX included interoperability drills such as tactical manoeuvres, communication drills, flying operations and concluded with a traditional steam past. According to Indian Navy, the engagement provided an opportunity for deeper operational understanding and exchange of best practices, further strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation between India and the Netherlands.