New Delhi, June 13 (ANI): Four ships of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet entered Shanghai today on a four-day port visit, thereby demonstrating the reach of India's maritime diplomacy.
The four IN ships Rana, Shivalik, Karmukh and Shakti under the command of Rear Admiral P Ajit Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet are on an operational deployment to the South China Sea and North West Pacific.
Earlier in the deployment, the first Bi-lateral maritime exercise between India and Japan 'JIMEX 12' (Japan India Maritime Exercise) was conducted, coinciding with commemoration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
Even as the four ships of the Eastern Fleet are in the South China Sea, another ship viz INS Savitri is in Port Victoria, Seychelles. INS Savitri is planned to participate in the National Day celebrations of Seychelles and thereafter be deployed for about two months to undertake surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Seychelles and Mauritius.
The IN continues to maintain one Dornier in Seychelles to provide aerial surveillance for the Seychellois EEZ. One Dornier is actively flying from Maldives to meet Maldivian requirements of EEZ surveillance and anti piracy patrols. The IN support to Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles is provided on request of the respective governments.
INS Tabar continues its deployment in the Gulf of Aden on convoy escort and anti piracy patrol.
The Western Fleet is set to deploy four ships on an overseas deployment to Horn of Africa, Red Sea and the Western Mediterranean under the command of Rear Admiral AR Karve, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet.
Such long range deployments, covering the IOR and beyond, bear testimony to the blue water capabilities and operational readiness of the Indian Navy.
It may be recalled that during the recent Naval Commander's Conference, Defence Minister AK Antony had said: "India's strategic location in the Indian Ocean and the professional capability of our Navy bestows upon us a natural ability to play a leading role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region."
"Considering the challenges in the Indian Ocean Region, it is essential to maintain high levels of operational preparedness at all times," he added. (ANI)
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