The Peruvian Navy’s Sail Training Tall Ship, B.A.P. Unión made its inaugural goodwill visit to Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing diplomatic relations between India and Peru, which have now reached their 60th year. Despite being geographically distant, both nations share common maritime interests and seek to further strengthen their bilateral collaboration.
Onboard the Peruvian Navy’s Sail Training Tall Ship, B.A.P. talks took place between Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of Peru to India, and Vice Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
The discussions primarily revolved around two key areas:
Maritime Training: Both parties explored the possibilities of enhancing maritime training collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Peruvian Navy. This involved discussions on joint training exercises, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building initiatives. The focus was on leveraging each other’s expertise to improve the capabilities of naval personnel.
Mutual Interests: The talks also delved into matters of mutual interest, possibly including regional security concerns, trade relations, and geopolitical issues that affect both India and Peru. These discussions aimed to strengthen the understanding of each other’s positions and seek common ground on important international matters.
These dialogues were pivotal in fostering a deeper understanding between the two nations and finding ways to advance their maritime cooperation. It reflected the commitment of both countries to nurturing their diplomatic relationship, which has matured over six decades, and leveraging it for mutual benefit. The exchange of views and ideas during the visit served as a testament to the shared objectives and interests of India and Peru in the maritime domain.
On its arrival on Nov 1, the ship paid a salute to the flag with a 15-gun ceremonial salute in the presence of Vice Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
The Indian Navy warmly welcomed the ship with a traditional reception, accompanied by the melodies of an Indian Navy band.
According to the Indian Navy, on November 1, 2023, the Commanding Officer of BAP Unión, laid a wreath at the Gaurav Stambh and met Rear Adm Kunal Singh Rajkumar, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at Headquarters Western Naval Command.
During the ship’s visit, naval personnel from both nations engaged in professional exchanges, sharing their best practices and expertise. In a unique endeavor to give back to the local community, they jointly participated in a beach cleanup initiative at Girgaon Chowpatty.
The firing of ceremonial gun salvos, a longstanding naval tradition, served as a symbol of respect for the senior naval officer upon the ship’s arrival in the naval harbor. This practice continues to this day, and modern warships are equipped with ceremonial guns for this purpose.
The visit of B.A.P. Unión to Mumbai not only symbolizes the cordial ties between India and Peru but also offers a platform for mutual growth in maritime cooperation. It underscores the significance of diplomatic relationships in fostering cooperation between nations, even across vast geographical distances.