India expanding presence in Indian Ocean Region

[Sir john]

Aspiring to play a leading role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India has deployed several of its ships in the area, including a fleet of four vessels which entered a Chinese port today as part of their sailing mission in South China sea. Along with the deployment in South China sea and North West Pacific, Indian Navy has deployed its ships in Seychelles, Mauritius and Maldives in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and INS Tabar has been put on convoy escort duty and anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden area, Navy officials said here. Recently, while addressing the Naval Commander's Conference, Defence Minister A K Antony has also highlighted the Navy's role in the IOR. "India's strategic location in the Indian Ocean and the professional capability of our Navy bestows upon us a natural ability to play a leading role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region," Antony had said. Considering the challenges in the IOR, it is essential to maintain high levels of operational preparedness at all times, the Defence Minister had said. The four warships entered the Sanghai port in China under the command of Eastern Naval Commander Rear Admiral P Ajith Kumar are INS Rana, INS Shivalik, INS Karmukh and INS Shakti. Earlier in the deployment, the fleet also conducted the first ever bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan, codenamed 'JIMEX 12'. "The Japan-India Maritime Exercise was conducted to commemoration 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan," the officials said. In Seychelles, India has sent INS Savitri where it will participate in the country's National Day celebrations.

[Sir john]

Chinese Navy accords warm reception to Indian naval ships

Four Indian naval warships, on a first in six years goodwill tour to China, docked at the Shanghai port on Wednesday to a warm reception by the Chinese navy, as the two forces work to overcome mistrust and warm up for maritime cooperation. Rana -- a Rajput class guided missile destroyer, Shivalik -- a stealth frigate; Karmuk -- a Kora class Corvettes and INS Shakti -- a fleet tanker, comprising of over 1000 sailors and officers arrived at the picturesque **** in Shanghai to the accomplishments of Chinese naval bands. Chinese naval officials headed by Rear Admiral, Shen Hao, Commander of the Shanghai Maritime garrison welcomed the ships and the crew. Marking the significance of the occasion, Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Chief of Indian Navy's Eastern Command along with Indian Ambassador, S Jaishankar were present to greet the Chinese naval officials. Much to the delight of the Indian officials, a large contingent of the Chinese media turned up to cover the event and the press interaction that followed. A press brief issued by the Indian embassy about the interaction with Chinese media today said the Indian officials highlighted India's “Look East Policy” stating that it underscores the importance India attaches to enhancing relations with East and South East Asian countries. “It is with the hope of strengthening military ties with the countries of the strategically important region that the four ships under the command of Read Admiral Ajit Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, were presently deployed in the South and East China Sea,” the note said. The ships which started their deployment in early May will continue till June 12 with port calls at Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, South Korea, Japan and China. The Chinese journalists “bombarded” Vice Admiral Chopra and Jaishankar with questions about India's stand on the ongoing row between Philippines and China over the disputed islands in South China Sea, the emerging India-Japan defence cooperation, India's acquisition of new aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya and China's plans to commission it is own aircraft carrier shortly. “The significance that the Indian Navy attaches to the bilateral relations with PLA Navy can be gauged from the fact that Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Easter Naval Command, Vice Admiral Anil Chopra is also present in Shanghai during the port call of Eastern fleet ships,” said the brief. “The importance of the maritime global concern about security and the economic growth of both China and India automatically translates to a convergence of interests that underlines the need for us to strengthen cooperation in the maritime domain,” it said. “The sustainable contribution of the PLA Navy to combating the scourge of piracy in the Gulf Of Aden is something that we are well aware of and highly appreciate. We therefore eagerly look forward to exercising with the very capable PLA Navy on our exit from Shanghai port,” it said. Vice Admiral Chopra later held talks with his counterpart of Chinese Navy, Su Zhiqian. Rear Admiral Gu Xiangping, Deputy Commander of the East Sea fleet, attended the reception on board the ships in the evening. The ships have been lined up for a series of engagements of public diplomacy, including visits by school children, local public and media. The Indian naval band will perform to entertain the Chinese crowds and receptions were due to be held with top civic and military officials. The Indian ships' visit is being seen as a significant event, as the two navies regarded as emerging powers of blue waters warmed up for maritime cooperation despite concerns over each others' rapid rise.