India to hand over Fast Attack Craft to Seychelles

On a visit to Seychelles, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan will hand over a second Fast Attack Craft (FAC) INS Tarasa to the island nation Friday.

Dhowan is on a four-day visit to Seychelles Nov 6-Nov 9.

During his visit, the navy chief will also call on President James Michel and other civil and military officials.

Meanwhile, Indian Naval Ships Mumbai, Talwar, Teg and Deepak, under the Command of Rear Admiral R. Hari Kumar, are on a two-month long Overseas Deployment to East Africa and the South Indian Ocean region.

Three of the four ships, INS Mumbai, INS Talwar and INS Deepak arrived here Thursday for "bolstering bilateral ties and reinforcing cooperation in maritime security between India and Seychelles".

"During the stay the ships would be kept open to public. In addition, various cultural events and games between the two navies are scheduled to strengthen bonds of friendship between the two nations," a statement from the navy said.

The first craft, SCG Topaz (formerly INS Tarmugli) was gifted to Seychelles by India in 2005 and has served the Seychelles Coast Guard well, having carried out anti-piracy patrols and captured several pirates.

"The handing over of the second attack craft will further bolster the strength of the Seychelles Coast Guard and serve as another visible, potent symbol of the friendship between the two countries," a statement said.

INS Tarasa, which has been recently refitted at Naval Dockyard Mumbai, will join her sister ship SCG Topaz as part of the Indian Navy's assistance to Seychelles Coast Guard in capacity building towards meeting her maritime security needs.

In addition, the Indian Navy would also position a maintenance and support team to assist the Seychelles Coast Guard.

"The Indian Navy remains committed to support Seychelles in its endeavours to ensure good order at sea and protection of its vast Exclusive Economic Zone," the statement added.

India and Seychelles are also members of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a voluntary and co-operative initiative between 35 countries of the Indian Ocean Region, which has served as an ideal forum for sharing information and cooperation on maritime issues.