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The Indian Navy task group that exercised with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces last week made a port call at Shanghai, China, for the first time in six years. Four ships, led by the guided missile destroyer INS Rana and carrying 1,400 sailors, pulled up at Shanghai's cruise ship dock on Wednesday.

Comment: Gushing media reports about building confidence are as inane as they seem. Port calls are about naval business. Both India and China know the Indians are using a show of cordiality to gather hydrographic information about Chinese waters and port conditions over time. For their part, the Chinese are taking a good look at some of India's most modern and capable fleet units.

For old timers, the fact that the Indian Navy regularly sends surface combatants and probably submarines to northeast Asia is impressive. The UK Royal Navy established the Indian Navy as an escort force to ensure the safety of Imperial naval forces and convoys operating in the Indian Ocean, between theaters, in World War II. The Indians have moved far beyond those initial modest goals.

Bangladesh-Burma: Update. The Bangladesh government has rejected pleas from the United Nations and other groups to admit Rohingya Muslims displaced by sectarian clashes in Myanmar. Border forces continue to turn away refugee boats.

Source: Night Watch