Indian Naval ship visits the Marshall Islands

INS Satpura, an indegenous multi-role stealth frigate, arrived at Port Majuro in the Marshall Islands on Saturday on a two-day visit, an official statement said.

INS Satpura is first Indian Navy ship to visit the island nation, situated near the equator in the Pacific Ocean.

The statement called the visit a "demonstration of India's commitment to peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and Indian Navy's increasing footprint and operational reach".

Bilateral relations between India and Republic of Marshall Islands have developed over the years through bilateral visits and interactions at various international forums.

Republic of Marshall Islands voted in favour of India's non-permanent seat of the UNSC for the year 2011-12 and also supported the G-4 short resolution on UNSC reforms.

India is engaged in capacity building and human resource development of the Island nation, especially in education and health sector, through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

The ship is en route to India after participating in Exercise RIMPAC-16, the largest multilateral naval exercise in the world, conducted biennially by the US Navy off the Hawaiian Coast.

During the visit, Indian Naval personnel will have professional interaction with the Republic of Marshall Islands police forces, the statement added.

Meetings with senior Government and military authorities, sporting and cultural interactions, aimed at strengthening ties and mutual understanding between the two countries, are also planned.

The ship is commanded by Captain A.N. Pramod.

--IANS

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