Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet concludes port call in Thailand

Bangkok, June 30 (IANS) Indian Naval Ships INS Udaygiri, Kavaratti, and Shakti of the Eastern Fleet, under the Command of Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, departed Sattahip, Thailand, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

The ships departed Sattahip on June 29, upon completion of their port call, for further deployment in the South East Asia Region, stated the Ministry.

The visit formed part of India’s continued engagement with South East Asian nations and further consolidated the longstanding maritime partnership between India and Thailand.

According to the Ministry, the interactions between the senior leadership of both navies focused on strengthening bilateral naval cooperation, enhancing interoperability, and addressing shared maritime security interests. As part of the visit, the ships undertook professional exchanges, operational interactions, and sporting engagements with the Royal Thai Navy.

During the port call, a reception was hosted on board INS Udaygiri and INS Kavaratti, attended by the Ambassador of India to Thailand, senior officers of the Royal Thai Navy, diplomats, and prominent members of the Indian community.

The deployment advances India’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), which aims to foster a unified maritime community. It also demonstrates the Indian Navy’s commitment to collective security and regional partnerships, underscoring camaraderie, mutual cooperation, and bilateral maritime ties between India and Thailand, the Ministry noted.

The Eastern Fleet also visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, last week. Udaygiri and Kavaratti arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on June 22 on a port call to foster professional exchanges and further strengthen maritime cooperation between India and Vietnam.

Indian Navy ships INS Udayagiri and INS Kavaratti, under the command of Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, arrived at Ho Chi Minh City on a port call to foster professional exchanges and further strengthen maritime cooperation between India and Vietnam, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi wrote on X.

Maritime cooperation is one of the strongest pillars of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam, it added.

–IANS

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