Indian frontline battleships visit Malaysian waters

Four Indian frontline battleships on an operational deployment to the South China Sea and the Western Pacific have made a port call in the country.

The vessels deployed on a goodwill visit between mid-May and mid-June are the INS Satpura, INS Ranvijay, INS Kirch and INS Shakti, which collectively carry more than 800 crew members, reports The Star.

The five-day visit to Malaysia is led by Rear Admiral Ajit Kumar and includes several programmes with the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Admiral Ajit, who is officially in the country with the vessels for the second time, said he was looking forward to enhancing ties with the Malaysian armed forces. He said a passage exercise (PASSEX) has been planned with the Malaysian navy and added that it would contribute immensely towards furthering peace and maritime security in the region.

However, he said the most important exercise during the visit was to foster closer ties and friendship between Malaysia and India.

There will be a dinner reception on the ship for Indian embassy key personnel and Malaysian officials on Monday.

The vessels will head to Vietnam next and then make a final port call to the Philippines.

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