Three Indian naval ships on goodwill visit to Bahrain

Manama : Indian naval ships Deepak, Tarkash and Delhi under the Command of the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh are on a goodwill visit to Bahrain from May 16 to 19. 

The visiting ships form part of the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command and are based in Mumbai. Besides professional interactions to enhance cooperation and understanding the nuances of naval operations including disaster management and combating maritime threats of terrorism and piracy, sports and social engagements have also been planned during the visit of the ships. The last goodwill visit of the ships to Bahrain was in September 2015.

India has an ancient maritime interaction with the Gulf dating back to over 4000 years. The Indian Navy is the largest resident navy in the Indian Ocean Region today, with a multi-dimensional capability comprising aircraft carriers, modern ships, submarines, aircraft and marine commandos. 

A notable feature of the Indian Navy’s force structure is the fact that the overwhelming majority of its ships are designed and constructed indigenously. It has close and friendly ties with all navies in the Gulf and has been regularly exercising with many of them. 

It is also privileged to provide training and hydrographic support to several navies in the region. The involvement of Indian naval ships in combating piracy off the coast of Somalia since October 2008 has further boosted bilateral ties with navies in the region.

India and Bahrain have enjoyed excellent relations characterised by close bilateral ties, deep-rooted in shared history and cultural affinities. The relations are sustained and nourished through high-level exchanges, growing economic linkages, multifaceted cooperation and close people to people contacts. 

Bilateral relations also extend to trade, investment, education and security cooperation. The goodwill visit of ships highlights the close and deep-rooted friendly relations between India and Bahrain. Naval officers from Bahrain have been regularly participating and winning prizes in the ‘Admiral’s Cup’ – a sailing completion held annually by the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, India.