maritime diplomacy
Indian navy touches new high in maritime diplomacy
MUMBAI, Sept 29/2004:
The Indian Navy has achieved tremendous success in the area of maritime diplomacy with a series of joint exercises after the 2001 international fleet review including that with the navies of the United States, the United Kingdon, France, Russia and China.
The recently-published Indian maritime doctrine also highlights this fact, saying that in times of peace, the Indian Navy has been a powerful instrument of the nation’s foreign policy, while in times of conflict it is the foremost expression of the country’s maritime power.
"The Indian Navy plays a major role in the nation’s diplomatic interest," Admiral Madanjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command (WNC), told UNI today during an interaction after visiting Singapore Naval Chief Admiral Ronnie Tay inspected a Guard of Honour at the Ins Angre here.
Admiral Singh, one of the top naval commanders, said that in the recent past, close to two dozen joint exercises have been held with different navies of the world besides Indian ships calling on foreign ports and vessels of other countries coming to India.
While joint exercises with the US Navy, royal navy and French navy have almost became a routine annual affair, last year joint exercises were also held with the Chinese and the Russians, Defence Ministry officials said here today.
Besides, training ship INS Tarangani carried out a global circumnavigation mission and returned early this year.
Admiral Singh says such exchanges are very important as "one gets to know each other well" and also enhance cooperation in several areas including "intelligence sharing".
Thrust was given to maritime diplomacy when the indian navy hosted the international fleet review in february 2001 off the mumbai harbour in which around 70 ships from more than 25 countries participated.
At the international fleet review, INS Viraat, the lone aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, was the star attraction.
In the past, two French carriers — FNS Foch and FNS Charles De Gaulle — have called on Indian ports. The regular exercises with the US (Malabar) and France (Varuna) have generated tremendous response among the respective forces. Next month, joint exercises of the malabar series have been planned off Goa and a US nuclear submarine is expected to take part in it.
Defence Ministry officials also point out that in May 2004, in response to a request from the Government of Mozambique, two ships INS Sujata and INS Savitri went to Maputo to provide security at the world economic forum meeting. Two Indian ships were also deployed in Maputo last year when Mozambique sought assistance for the second African union summit.
In Bay of Bengal off Chennai during April this year, an Indo-UK joint exercise was held at which the royal navy was represented by HMS Exter, a missile destroyer, HMS grey rover, a tanker and lynx helicopters. The war games included anti-submarine warfare, underway replenishment, interdiction operations, cross-deck landing by helicopters and day/night tactical manoeuvres.
The last Varuna exercise off Goa with the French saw the participation of FNS Charles De Gaulle and a submarine while the Indian Navy deployed one ship each of Delhi, Brahmaputra and Godavari class besides a Shishumar-class submarine.
Last year, joint exercises were carried out off the coast of Shanghai in the China sea and the Indian warships included guided missile destroyer INS Ranjit, guided missile corvette INS Kulish, replenishment tanker INS Jyoti. The Chinese complement comprised frigate Jia Xing and tanker Panyang Hu.
The exercise encompassed communication procedures, helicopter operations and search and rescue operations including casualty evacuation drills from distressed ships. (UNI)
MUMBAI, Sept 29/2004:
The Indian Navy has achieved tremendous success in the area of maritime diplomacy with a series of joint exercises after the 2001 international fleet review including that with the navies of the United States, the United Kingdon, France, Russia and China.
The recently-published Indian maritime doctrine also highlights this fact, saying that in times of peace, the Indian Navy has been a powerful instrument of the nation’s foreign policy, while in times of conflict it is the foremost expression of the country’s maritime power.
"The Indian Navy plays a major role in the nation’s diplomatic interest," Admiral Madanjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command (WNC), told UNI today during an interaction after visiting Singapore Naval Chief Admiral Ronnie Tay inspected a Guard of Honour at the Ins Angre here.
Admiral Singh, one of the top naval commanders, said that in the recent past, close to two dozen joint exercises have been held with different navies of the world besides Indian ships calling on foreign ports and vessels of other countries coming to India.
While joint exercises with the US Navy, royal navy and French navy have almost became a routine annual affair, last year joint exercises were also held with the Chinese and the Russians, Defence Ministry officials said here today.
Besides, training ship INS Tarangani carried out a global circumnavigation mission and returned early this year.
Admiral Singh says such exchanges are very important as "one gets to know each other well" and also enhance cooperation in several areas including "intelligence sharing".
Thrust was given to maritime diplomacy when the indian navy hosted the international fleet review in february 2001 off the mumbai harbour in which around 70 ships from more than 25 countries participated.
At the international fleet review, INS Viraat, the lone aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, was the star attraction.
In the past, two French carriers — FNS Foch and FNS Charles De Gaulle — have called on Indian ports. The regular exercises with the US (Malabar) and France (Varuna) have generated tremendous response among the respective forces. Next month, joint exercises of the malabar series have been planned off Goa and a US nuclear submarine is expected to take part in it.
Defence Ministry officials also point out that in May 2004, in response to a request from the Government of Mozambique, two ships INS Sujata and INS Savitri went to Maputo to provide security at the world economic forum meeting. Two Indian ships were also deployed in Maputo last year when Mozambique sought assistance for the second African union summit.
In Bay of Bengal off Chennai during April this year, an Indo-UK joint exercise was held at which the royal navy was represented by HMS Exter, a missile destroyer, HMS grey rover, a tanker and lynx helicopters. The war games included anti-submarine warfare, underway replenishment, interdiction operations, cross-deck landing by helicopters and day/night tactical manoeuvres.
The last Varuna exercise off Goa with the French saw the participation of FNS Charles De Gaulle and a submarine while the Indian Navy deployed one ship each of Delhi, Brahmaputra and Godavari class besides a Shishumar-class submarine.
Last year, joint exercises were carried out off the coast of Shanghai in the China sea and the Indian warships included guided missile destroyer INS Ranjit, guided missile corvette INS Kulish, replenishment tanker INS Jyoti. The Chinese complement comprised frigate Jia Xing and tanker Panyang Hu.
The exercise encompassed communication procedures, helicopter operations and search and rescue operations including casualty evacuation drills from distressed ships. (UNI)
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