Indian naval ships visit Syechelles

On a two-month deployment in the western Indian Ocean, Indian Navy ships Kolkata, Trikand and Aditya on Friday arrived at Port Victoria in the Seychelles.

An official statement said during the visit, the ships would engage with the Seychelles People Defence Force on professional issues.

The three ships, part of the Indian Navy's western fleet, are under the command of Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh.

"Calls on senior government and military authorities, training and technical cooperation measures with Seychelles Coast Guard, sporting and cultural interactions, aimed at strengthening ties and mutual understanding between the two forces, are also planned," the statement said.

"The deployment adds another chapter to the strong defence and maritime cooperation between India and the Seychelles," the navy said.

India regularly undertakes surveillance missions in the Seychelles EEZ, by deploying Indian Navy ships and aircraft, based on request by the Seychelles government.

The last such deployment was by Indian Navy Ship Trikand in July 2016.

--IANS

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