Admiral RK Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff on official tour to Australia (02-07 Oct 15)
Admiral
RK Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff on official tour to
Australia (02-07 Oct 15)
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral RK Dhowan, is on an official tour to
Australia commencing 02 Oct 15. The visit (from 02nd to 07th October 2015) aims
to consolidate existing Maritime Cooperation initiatives as well as explore new
avenues.
The Admiral’s visit to Australia has been programmed to coincide with the prestigious annual ‘Sea Power Conference’ organised by the Australia Navy. The forum provides opportunities to engage with heads of over 40 navies.
India-Australia have several commonalities, which serve as foundation for closer cooperation and multifaceted interactions. Both countries are vibrant, secular and multicultural democracies.
The defence cooperation between India and Australia is robust and is primarily focused towards Maritime Cooperation. India and Australia signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement in 2006 as well as a Framework for Defence Cooperation in Nov 14, which envisages regular ship visits as well as high level exchanges.
Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy are partners in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS); a Maritime Cooperation construct conceptualised and pioneered by Indian Navy in 2008. Australian Navy has stood shoulder to shoulder with Indian Navy in taking this 21st century maritime construct forward. The conduct of the first Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘AUSINDEX’, off India’s East coast in Sep 15 between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy was a landmark event between the two navies.
India-Australia share similar maritime challenges such as long coastline, extensive EEZ, coastal security, large coastal shipping and fishing fleet, where in both Navies have opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences. In addition, common grounds exists for cooperation in ship-building, especially under India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
During the visit, Admiral RK Dhowan is scheduled to hold discussions with the Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Defence Secretary and other Senior Naval Officers.
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Visit
of INS Sahyadri to Da Nang, Vietnam
In pursuance of India’s ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ policy, Indian Naval
Ship Sahyadri, as a part of ‘Operational Deployment’ to the South China Sea and
the North West Pacific region, has entered Da Nang, Vietnam on a four day visit
commencing 02 Oct 15.
The visit of INS Sahyadri is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing inter-operability between navies of the two countries. Indian warships had last visited Hai Phong, Vietnam in August 2014. INS Sahyadri is an indigenously built warship of the Shivalik Class. Inducted into the Indian Navy on 21 July 12. The multi-role stealth frigate, boasts of an impressive array of weaponry in her arsenal. Long range anti-ship missiles, medium and short range surface to air missiles augmented by powerful guns of different calibers provide a formidable shield against all types of surface and air threats. The capability to carry two integral multi-role helicopters significantly enhances the potency of this ship. INS Sahyadri, is presently being commanded by Captain Kunal Raj Kumar.
During her stay in harbour, various activities aimed at enhancing cooperation and interaction between the two navies are planned. These include official calls and interaction with dignitaries of the Vietnamese government and the Vietnamese Peoples’ Navy (VPN), reception onboard INS Sahyadri, onboard visits by local populace, guided tours for Indian naval personnel and professional interaction between personnel of both the navies.
India and Vietnam have cultural and economic links dating back to the 2nd Century A.D, which were facilitated by maritime trade. In modern times, support during struggle for liberation from foreign rule and subsequent political and cultural exchanges have strengthened this historic relationship. In order to expand this to the security domain, a ‘Security Dialogue’ was instituted in 2003. India and Vietnam signed a Joint Declaration on the ‘Establishment of a Strategic Partnership’ in 2007 as well as a ‘MoU on Defence Cooperation’ in 2009. These have laid the foundation for strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries.
The visit of INS Sahyadri is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing inter-operability between navies of the two countries. Indian warships had last visited Hai Phong, Vietnam in August 2014. INS Sahyadri is an indigenously built warship of the Shivalik Class. Inducted into the Indian Navy on 21 July 12. The multi-role stealth frigate, boasts of an impressive array of weaponry in her arsenal. Long range anti-ship missiles, medium and short range surface to air missiles augmented by powerful guns of different calibers provide a formidable shield against all types of surface and air threats. The capability to carry two integral multi-role helicopters significantly enhances the potency of this ship. INS Sahyadri, is presently being commanded by Captain Kunal Raj Kumar.
During her stay in harbour, various activities aimed at enhancing cooperation and interaction between the two navies are planned. These include official calls and interaction with dignitaries of the Vietnamese government and the Vietnamese Peoples’ Navy (VPN), reception onboard INS Sahyadri, onboard visits by local populace, guided tours for Indian naval personnel and professional interaction between personnel of both the navies.
India and Vietnam have cultural and economic links dating back to the 2nd Century A.D, which were facilitated by maritime trade. In modern times, support during struggle for liberation from foreign rule and subsequent political and cultural exchanges have strengthened this historic relationship. In order to expand this to the security domain, a ‘Security Dialogue’ was instituted in 2003. India and Vietnam signed a Joint Declaration on the ‘Establishment of a Strategic Partnership’ in 2007 as well as a ‘MoU on Defence Cooperation’ in 2009. These have laid the foundation for strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries.
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