The task force of Indian Naval Ships Mysore, Tarkash, Tabar and Aditya, led by Rear Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, is on a month-long overseas deployment to the Gulf to enhance bilateral ties and engage in naval exercises with friendly regional navies.

The task force of Indian Naval Ships Mysore, Tarkash, Tabar and Aditya, led by Rear Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, is on a month-long overseas deployment to the Gulf to enhance bilateral ties and engage in naval exercises with friendly regional navies.

“The current visit seeks to underscore India’s peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries in the Gulf and strengthen the existing bonds of friendship between India and the UAE,” said Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Flag Officer Commanding-in- chief (West), while addressing the media onboard INS Mysore, the guided missile destroyer.

He also mentioned the growing energy inter-dependence of India and the Gulf, the shared interest in the security of the sea lanes, the common threat posed by piracy near the Somalian coastline, as well as expanding the ambit of training of naval personnel.

“The Indian Navy has close and friendly ties with all navies in the Gulf and has been regularly exercising with many of them. The Indian Navy is also privileged to provide training and hydrographic support to several navies in the region. The involvement of Indian Naval ships in combating piracy off the coast of Somalia since October 2008 has further strengthened bilateral ties and interaction with the navies in the region,” he said.

He pointed out that the maritime co-operation between the two countries has increased steadily since the inaugural Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks in January 2007, which covered the entire gamut of Indian Navy-UAE Navy co-operation. Frequent port visits by naval ships of both countries, visits by Service Chiefs and training of UAE Naval officers have further bolstered naval co-operation between the two countries.

The navy is expected to induct 47 ships in the next 10 years, some of which will replace those which would have reached the end of their operational life.

Source: www.gulftoday.ae