India's IFR invite gets 'unfavourable' response from Pakistan

IFR 2016 is scheduled for February next year in Viaskhapatnam

India's invite to Pakistan to participate in the International Fleet Review early next year, which will see over 50 countries including China take part, has got 'unfavourable' response.

"We had communicated regarding the invites through our High Commissions and Embassies. As far as Pakistan is concerned, our High Commission in Islamabad has informed us that they have not received favourable response from them," Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan said here at a press conference.

Asked if this was the first time that the neighbour has been invited for an Indian Naval event, he said Pakistan had participated in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in 2008, an interaction of navies, launched by India.

"We will have all our major neighbours and most of them participating...There are around 17 countries. As far as participation of China is concerned...From the information available to us from our embassy, the PLA Navy is likely to participate with a ship as well as the delegation," Dhowan said.

Elaborating on the IFR 2016, schedueld for February next year in Viaskhapatnam, Dhowan said, 46 countries, from all five continents, have responded positively so far with the number likley to go up.

President Pranab Mukherjee along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar among others will be attending the event.

"No foreign submarine has confirmed its participation. Our aircraft carrier Vikramaditya and Virat are participating in it," the Chief of Naval Staff said.

This will be India's second IFR. The last one was held at Mumbai in 2001. The event will see an array of naval exercises involving military assets of all the countries.