The Indian Navy’s latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, INS Tushil, has been docked at its first port of call in London during its maiden operational deployment.
Commodore Robert Belfield, Royal Navy Commander, London and East England, received the Indian Navy warship on behalf of the UK government on Sunday. He was welcomed by the ship’s commanding officer, Captain Peter Varghese.
Belfield said, “It is an honor to welcome INS Tushil to London for her maiden overseas visit. This occasion is a demonstration of the close relationship between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy, our two countries and our shared interests.”
India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Britain Sujit Ghosh also visited the warship docked on the River Thames before leaving on Monday evening.
#INSTushil India’s latest guided missile stealth frigate arrives #Londonuk on #21december 24 On his first path #India is an important milestone in the growing naval cooperation between #IndianNavy , @Royal Navy,
The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and… pic.twitter.com/g0AdSIvlH6
– SpokespersonNavy (@IndianNavy) 23 December 2024
The ship, built in Russia and commissioned on December 9 in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, departed from Kaliningrad on December 17.
According to a Defense Ministry statement, the ship will transit the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean and finally the Indian Ocean, making port visits in several friendly foreign countries along the way.
“The maiden deployment of INS Tushil will cover the key charters of the Indian Navy, namely diplomatic, military and constabulary activities. The ship will undertake joint patrolling and maritime partnership exercises with multiple navies en route, including piracy hotspots in the region. ” the ministry said.
During port calls, the ship will undertake capacity-building activities with host navies and interact with senior military and government leadership. The port call will also serve to connect with the Indian diaspora spread across the region.
The ministry said that the port call and exercise of INS Tushil is aimed at strengthening India’s maritime cooperation with the littoral countries of the region and strengthening the Indian Navy’s commitment to the safety and security of the maritime community.
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