In a fine demonstration of the operational reach and pursuit of India’s ‘Act East’ policy, the Indian Navy Eastern Fleet ships INS Shakti and INS Kamorta under the command of Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, NM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, entered the Port of Makassar, Indonesia on a three day visit commencing 23rd June 18.
The ships’ stay in Makassar would include professional interaction, sports fixtures and social interactions with the Indonesian Navy. The ships would also be open to visitors. This visit aims to further strengthen the strong bond and mutual understanding between the two Navies.
The presence of the frontline warships of the Indian Navy comes soon after both countries elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia, on 29 May 18. The current visit of the Indian Naval Ships to Makassar seeks to enhance maritime cooperation between the two navies for security and stability in the region and further bolster India’s strong bonds of friendship with Indonesia.
INS Shakti, a Fleet Tanker, commanded by Captain SA Joglekar and indigenously built stealth Corvette, INS Kamorta commanded by Commander Saiket Chatterjee, are on the last leg of their two-month operational deployment to South East Asia and Western Pacific Ocean. The deployment also included the participation in MALABAR-18, a trilateral exercise between the Indian Navy, US Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) which was held off Guam, an Island territory of the US in the Pacific Ocean. The two Eastern Fleet ships along with INS Sahyadri had left Visakhapatnam for the deployment on 30 Apr 18 and over the last two months visited Singapore, Sattahip (Thailand), Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) DA Nang (Vietnam) and Guam(USA). On completion of the Malabar Exercise at Guam, INS Sahyadri has proceeded to Hawaii to participate in Exercise RIMPAC involving the participation of 26 navies.
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