KOCHI: Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of Naval Staff arrived in Kochi on a farewell visit on Monday. The Admiral was accompanied by wife Maria Teresa Mehta.
Admiral Mehta was received at the airport by Vice Admiral Sunil K Damle, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. Admiral Mehta will review a ceremonial parade at the Naval Base on Tuesday.
In a brief interaction with the media at Naval air station INS Garuda, the Admiral said that he was happy to be in Kochi from where he commenced his initial training.
In reply to a question on the CAG report on the Gorshkov deal with Russia, Admiral Sureesh Mehta said that he could not comment on the CAG's observations.
However, he defended the work done and said that it would be a fine ship for the Navy. "The CAG has a job to do. The Navy and the government has a job to do. The Defence Ministry has a job to do. I am running the Navy. The deal was made after great deliberations. It will meet the need of the hour. They say I defended the price hike. I did not," the Admiral said.
Answering another question on coastal security, Admiral Mehta said that efforts were being taken for better coordination among all the agencies responsible for coastal security.