India kick starts two-day naval drill with Russia in eastern Indian Ocean

India on Friday kick-started a two-day naval exercise with Russia in eastern Indian Ocean, two weeks after it conducted Malabar wargames with US, Australia, and Japan.

Russian Navy has deployed its guided-missile cruiser Varyag, large anti-submarine ship miral Panteleyev and medium ocean tanker Pechenga for "pass exercise", officials said.

Indian Navy has been represented by indigeusly constructed guided-missile frigate Shivalik and anti-submarine corvette Kmatt along with ir integral helicopters.

" exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding, and imbibing best practices between both friendly navies. It would involve vanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, weapon firings, seamanship exercises, and helicopter operations," Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Mhwal said.

pass exercises are conducted regularly by Indian Navy with units of friendly foreign navies while visiting each or's ports or during a rendezvous at sea, he said.

He said ongoing exercise reflects strong long-term strategic relationship between two countries.

This exercise is being conducted on occasion of 'Navy Day' which emphasizes strong bonds of friendship shared between two friendly militaries. It would be ar step towards strengning Indo-Russian defense relations, Commander Mhwal said.

Navy Day is celebrated every year on December 4 to commemorate Indian Navy's achievement in inflicting heavy dam on Pakistani vessels in Karachi harbor during India-Pakistan war in 1971.

Indian and Russian navies conduct a biennial exercise called 'Indra Navy' and its last edition took place in rrn Indian Ocean Region in September.

Last month, India held Malabar exercise. India invited Australia for exercise, effectively making it a drill by all Qu member nations.

Qu, comprising India, US, Australia, and Japan, is aimed at ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, a region that witnessed increasing Chinese military assertiveness in recent years.

China has been suspicious about purpose of Malabar exercise as it feels that annual wargame is an effort to contain its influence in Indo-Pacific region.

twithstanding coronavirus pandemic, Indian Navy participated in maritime exercises in last few months with a number of countries.

(IM CREDITS: PTI)