NEW DELHI: Indian warships INS Delhi and INS Trishul on Thursday entered Al-Jubail Port in Saudi Arabia as part of a month-long deployment in the Gulf to enhance bilateral ties and engage in naval exercises with friendly regional navies.
Indian Naval ships Deepak, Delhi, Tabar and Trishul, from its Western Command, have been deployed in the region. Of the four ships, INS Delhi and INS Trishul will stay in Al-Jubail till September 13, during which the warships will have professional interactions to enhance co-operation and understand the nuances of naval operations including disaster management and combating maritime threats of terrorism and piracy.
Apart from professional interactions, sports and social engagements are also planned, which are aimed at enhancing co-operation and understanding between the Navies, an official statement here said.
The Indian Navy has multi-dimensional capability comprising aircraft carriers, modern ships, submarines, aircraft and marine commandos. It has close and friendly ties with all navies in the Gulf and has been regularly conducting exercises with many of them.
The Indian Navy also provides 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 strengthened bilateral ties and interaction with navies in the region, the statement said.
Indians are the largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia with over 2.88 million Indian nationals working and contributing towards development of ‘The Land of Two Holy Mosques’.
The current visit seeks to underscore India’s peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries in the Gulf and strengthen the existing bonds of friendship between India and Saudi Arabia, the statement added.