By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Oct 24:
The Indian Navy and Royal Navy personnel have been interacting during harbour phase of the ongoing tri-services exercise “Konkan Shakti-21” between India and UK, off India’s West Coast and have been paying goodwill visits.
On Saturday the Indian Navy team visited HNLMS Evertsen from the Netherlands Navy and the HMS Defender from the Royal Navy (UK) and interacted with their counterparts.
The naval units from India and UK are participating in the exercise “Konkan Shakti-21.
HNLMS Evertsen from the Netherlands Navy and HMS Defender from the Royal Navy (UK) are part of the UK Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG-21).
Admiral René Tas, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy, visited the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command (WNC) at Mumbai and interacted with Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, WNC on Friday.
During the interaction, the two Admirals discussed ways and means of enhancing regional stability since an enormous proportion of sea borne trade in the world takes place in the Indo-Pacific region. They also examined various avenues available to strengthen the growing cooperation between the two navies.
Subsequently, Admiral René Tas, accompanied by a team from the Royal Netherlands Navy, visited INS Kochi. They were received onboard by Commodore Aditya Hara, Fleet Operations Officer and Captain Himadri Bose, Commanding Officer, INS Kochi. The delegation was provided a guided tour around the ship and was briefed about the ship’s capabilities and operations.