Focusing on geo-strategy, Indian Navy’s ships, INS Delhi, INS Tarkash and INS Deepak are in Dubai for a four day visit. The visit is demonstration of India’s commitment to maritime relations with countries in the Gulf, says an Indian Navy press release.
The current visit seeks to bolster the strong bonds of friendship between India and UAE and contribute to security and stability in this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region.
During the visit, the crew of Indian Navy ships will have professional interactions with the UAE Navy towards enhancing co-operation between the two forces. In addition, calls on senior government and military authorities, sporting and cultural interactions and sharing of best practices, aimed at strengthening mutual understanding between the two navies, are also planned. The visiting Indian Navy ships are also likely to conduct exercises with the UAE Navy.
Indian Navy ships last visited UAE in September 2015 wherein INS Delhi, INS Deepak, INS Trishul and INS Tabar berthed at Dubai. Maritime cooperation between the two countries has increased steadily since the inaugural Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks in January 2007. Reciprocal port visits, high-level delegations and training exchanges have further bolstered naval cooperation between the two countries.
India and UAE are also members of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a voluntary and co-operative initiative between 30 countries of the Indian Ocean Region, which has served as a forum for sharing of information and cooperation on maritime issues, says the release.
The three ships are under the Command of the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh NM. INS Delhi is commanded by Captain Sandeep Singh Sandhu, INS Tarkash is commanded by Captain Pradeep Singh, NM and INS Deepak is commanded by Captain Sujit Kumar Chhetri.
(This story was originally published on May 7, 2016)