Three Indian naval ships on 4-day goodwill visit dock at Shuwaikh Port – Navies cement friendship between countries: Rear Admiral Singh

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Seated from left to right: Dr Sushil Kumar, SS Political, Commerce; Commander Capt Pradeep Singh, NM, INS Tarkash; Commander of INS Deepak Capt Sujit Kumar Chhetri; Rear Admiral Ranveet Singh, NM; Ambassador Sunil Jain, Gurpal Singh, Defence Attache based in Riyadh, accredited to Kuwait and Commander of INS Delhi, Capt Sandeep Singh Sandhu.
Seated from left to right: Dr Sushil Kumar, SS Political, Commerce; Commander Capt Pradeep Singh, NM, INS Tarkash; Commander of INS Deepak Capt Sujit Kumar Chhetri; Rear Admiral Ranveet Singh, NM; Ambassador Sunil Jain, Gurpal Singh, Defence Attache based in Riyadh, accredited to Kuwait and Commander of INS Delhi, Capt Sandeep Singh Sandhu.

KUWAIT CITY, May 13: Indian naval ships Delhi, Tarkash and Deepak from the Western Naval Fleet arrived at the Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait Thursday, May 12, 2016 on four-day goodwill visit. During a press meet held on board INS Delhi, Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding of Western Naval Fleet highlighted the strong bonds of friendship that have existed over a period of time between the two countries. He declared, the navies cement friendships between countries and build bridges between the oceans. “If we work together and fight together, we can eliminate all forms of terrorism”, he added. The Indian Ambassador to Kuwait HE Sunil Jain, who also attended the press meet, commended the strong cooperation between India and Kuwait.

The current visit will further strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Kuwait and contribute significantly to the security and stability of this vital part of the Indian Ocean region, he said. During the visit the crew of the Indian naval ships will carry out professional interactions with their Kuwaiti counterpart pertaining to nuances of maritime operations, including means of combating maritime terrorism and piracy. The naval ships are also expected to conduct exercises with the Kuwait Naval Force. Speaking of the large number of Indian community living in Kuwait, Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh said, they are also the ambassadors of our country in Kuwait. Commander of INS Delhi Capt Sandeep Singh Sandhu, Commander of INS Tarkash Capt Pradeep Singh, NM and Commander of INS Deepak Capt Sujit Kumar Chhetri were also present during the press interaction.

Earlier, Ambassador Sunil Jain, Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh, NM, and Captains of the three ships met with Sheikh Khalid Al-Jarrah Al- Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Chief of General Staff and Deputy Chief of General Staff of Kuwait Armed Forces and Commander of Kuwait Naval Forces. Both sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation which has been steadily growing through high-level visits, training exchanges and port visits by naval ships. Also present during the meeting were Chief of General Staff and Deputy Chief of General Staff of Kuwait Armed Forces and Commander of Kuwait Naval Forces. In addition, calls on senior Kuwaiti government and military authorities the visit is aimed at enhancing cooperation and strengthening mutual understanding between the two navies. Bilateral relations between India and Kuwait have been traditionally friendly where Indians are the largest expatriate community.

India and Kuwait 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 an ideal forum for sharing of information and cooperation on maritime issues. The INS Deepak is a modern fleet tanker designed to be utilized as a fl eet support ship and can provide fuel to three ships at sea simultaneously; the INS Tarkash is a Talwar class Stealth frigate, loaded with high density of weapons and sensors, and is one of the most potent platforms of the Indian Navy and INS Delhi is the first ship of the 6,700 tons indigenous destroyer designed and is a fl oating testimony of the high level of technological advancement, capable of operating in a multi-threat environment. At the invitation from the Indian side, an offi cial from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence has joined the 72nd Course of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India. The last goodwill visit call by Indian Navy was made in September 2015, when INS Deepak and INS Tabar visited Kuwait. The Western Naval Command (WNC) — the two-star level operational formation — is the sword arm of the Indian Navy.

By Paul Francis X. Fernandes Arab Times Staff

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